A DESPERATE family are trying to raise £3m for miracle "one time" treatment to save their six-year-old son's life.

Brave little Aleksander Simeonov was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DND) in April after suffering from a tight Achilles tendon and issues with the alignment of his hips.

The rare, life-threatening condition which predominantly affects boys causes muscle deterioration affecting the skeletal, heart, and lung muscles.

Without stem cell therapy, the degenerative condition will rob Aleks of the ability to walk, and shortens his life expectancy to just 20.

Now, his dad, Angel, 37, has moved from Bulgaria to Somerset to work at Hinkley Point power station to save money for life-saving treatment in Turkey.

The family are raising money for stem cell treatment which could slow Aleks' muscle loss, but it isn't available on the NHS and costs £8,294 every 30 to 45 days in Istanbul, Turkey.

Aleksander Simeonov. A desperate family is trying to raise £3m for miracle "one time" treatment to save their six-year-old son's life. Brave little Aleksander Simeonov with diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DND) in April - after suffering from a tight Achilles tendon and issues with the alignment of his hips. The rare, life-threatening condition - which predominantly affects boys - causes muscle deterioration affecting the skeletal, heart, and lung muscles. Without stem cell therapy, the degenerative condition will rob Aleks of the ability to walk, and shortens his life expectancy to just 20 years-old.
Aleksander Simeonov (Angel Simeonov / SWNS)

A new drug, called Elevidys, which helps genes build the muscle back up, has just been approved in the US, which costs a whopping £2,354,325.

Angel and Aleks' mum, Anelya, 37, who is Aleks' full time carer, want their little boy to try it and believe the one-time gene therapy would slow the progression of his disease and would allow him to "lead a normal life".

Angel, 37, said: "It's crazy that it's so expensive, I never expected such amounts. We'll do whatever it takes, this is my son.

"It was always my dream to have a son - my dream came true but now I have to fight for it.

"I cannot sit back and watch the life in his eyes extinguish.

"He is such a good, well-mannered boy with big dreams and ambitions such as running and jumping like the other kids."

Aleks first developed symptoms as a toddler and the painful symptoms affected his mobility and he began specialist physiotherapy to relieve them aged six.

However, his muscles continued to deteriorate, until he could no longer walk on his own.

Aleks and Angel Simeonov. A desperate family is trying to raise £3m for miracle "one time" treatment to save their six-year-old son's life. Brave little Aleksander Simeonov with diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DND) in April - after suffering from a tight Achilles tendon and issues with the alignment of his hips. The rare, life-threatening condition - which predominantly affects boys - causes muscle deterioration affecting the skeletal, heart, and lung muscles. Without stem cell therapy, the degenerative condition will rob Aleks of the ability to walk, and shortens his life expectancy to just 20 years-old.
Aleks and Angel Simeonov (Angel Simeonov / SWNS)

Angel said: "He could not walk without someone's help, as his leg muscles could not support his body and he would just collapse."

Thanks to the support of his family, Aleks was able to quickly start stem cell therapy at Liv Hospital Ulus, in Istanbul, Turkey, to see a specialist doctor.

In addition to the £8,294 a month needed to fund regular stem cell therapy, Angel and Anelya are also fundraising to help cover the cost of their son's swimming therapy, ergotherapy, and renovations needed in their flat to support his needs.

Angel said: "It's really hard being away from my family in Bulgaria, and it's a lot for my wife who is his full-time carer and looks after his every day needs.

"She is so amazing at dealing with everything on her own while I am away for long periods trying to get us the money we need."

The family has huge ambitions to raise £2,354,325 for Aleks to receive the life-saving treatment in the US.

Donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/lets-help-aleks-have-a-normla-life