A charity which helps make wishes come true for special children is hoping volunteers will sign up at warp speed to give Star Trek fan Grant Alderton (11) an out-of-this-world bedroom experience.

The Speyside youngster – who "died" twice after being born prematurely – spends much of his time in his room but it is fairly plain and boring and his family would love it to be as amazing as the flight deck of starship USS Enterprise.

They are being helped in their quest by the charity Dreamz 4U after mum Vicki and husband Leigh met up with founder Jim Michie at the RAF Leuchars airshow in Fife last weekend.

Mrs Alderton was asked if she knew of any youngsters who had a wish the charity might be able to help fulfil, and she immediately thought of Grant.

"I have a mad passion for Tornados so we went down to the airshow. I saw the stall and gave a donation and we just got chatting. I told Jimmy about my son and he said he wanted to help," she said.

Grant was born eight weeks premature on November 3, 1996, after Mrs Alderton developed health problems. He stopped breathing twice in his first six hours of life and doctors feared the worst, but Grant proved to be a real fighter and he was finally allowed home on Boxing Day.

Mrs Alderton said: "It was the best Christmas present we could have hoped for."

Grant was diagnosed the following year as having cerebral palsy and relies on a wheelchair. He is partially sighted and has autism spectrum disorder, but despite his health problems his family describe the Speyside High School pupil as a very happy boy – and happiest when he is watching the popular TV show 'Star Trek: The Next Generation'.

They nominated Grant for an extreme bedroom make-over, one that they hope will leave those featured on TV in the shade. Mrs Alderton is hoping his plain room can be transformed with themed artwork, mobiles and lights to create a more exciting sensory experience.

Star Trek fan Grant Alderton (11) is being helped by the charity Dreamz 4U to give his bedroom an out of this world make-over to the delight of brother Kieran and parents Vicki and Leigh. Bob Bruce (NS)

"Grant likes being in his own space and if someone was able just to make his bedroom nice for him, it would be fantastic," she said.

This is not the first time Dreamz 4U has stepped in to wave its magic wand in Moray. The charity arranged in April for two rugby stars to come to Milne's Primary School in Fochabers to meet brothers Michael, Gordon and Kevin Lawtie, and the boys were also mascots at a top game at Murrayfield.

Mr Michie, who goes by the nickname Jim the Pig, said that since Dreamz 4U was launched 15 months ago, it has helped 154 kids from around the country, from setting up meetings with their sporting heroes and pop stars, to plans for one lad from Arbroath to be James Bond for the day, complete with a tuxedo and sports car.

The charity relies on donations and goodwill and the children at Milne's are among those who have raised money for it. Mr Michie is appealing for anyone who might be able to help with Grant's bedroom make-over, from tradesmen to artists, to get in touch with him. To volunteer to help make the youngster's dream come true, contact Mr Michie on 0781 502 2421 or email jimthepig@blueyonder.co.uk.

The website www.dreamz4u.org highlights the work of the charity which helps bring a smile to the faces of children who are battling a range of health problems such as severe epilepsy, cancer and cerebral palsy.

f.mcpherson@northern-scot.co.uk

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