MORE than £4,000 has been raised for brave Dylan Nobes after an appeal was launched to allow him to play football with his friends.

The nine-year-old, who has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, needs £10,000 to make his dream come true.

Dylan’s Need For Speed appeal is raising money for a specialised wheelchair providing the right support to allow him to play his favourite sport.

Supporting his appeal, grandmother Jackie Bishop, 54, and aunty Katie Bishop, 35, shaved their heads, raising £600 in sponsors.

“I cannot sit up, crawl, stand or walk but I don’t let it get me down,” said Dylan, who lives with his mum Bev and younger siblings Milly, aged seven and Leo, two.

“I’m nearly always happy but I’m sad when I can’t join in with my friends.

“A powered wheelchair would allow me to keep up with them.”

Dylan, from Stonehouse, joined Cheltenham Saracens FC’s wheelchair football team in September and is currently using one of the club’s adult powerchairs.

Taking part helps Dylan, who attends St Rose’s School in Stroud, improve his coordination and social skills and helps him become more independent.

The problem is that the chair doesn’t support Dylan’s head and has to be padded with cushions.

“We are so overwhelmed with how kind people are being,” said Bev.

“After the head shave, my mum and sister both said their heads are cold but it's totally worth it for Dylan.”

“Now a group of friends and I are looking into a sponsored parachute jump as well as a 100 mile sponsored bike ride.”

Dylan was born nine weeks premature and suffered a brain injury which resulted in cerebral palsy.

To donate to the appeal go to www.treeofhope.org.uk/dylans-need-for-speed