The parents of a young Nantwich boy with a rare condition suffered after an innocent football injury have issued an emotional appeal for help.

Ollie Wharton, aged 11, has had his young life turned upside down by Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

The once fit, healthy and active boy who loved football now spends most of his days in bed, relies on a wheelchair and lives with severe pain.

Before his injury, Ollie played football for two teams, attending two training sessions and playing two matches every week.

In February 2026, when Ollie was just 10, he injured his knee while playing football.

His knee would not bend or move properly and what seemed like a straightforward knee problem became the beginning of an eight-month nightmare for Ollie and his family.

Following surgery, Ollie developed severe and persistent pain and his condition deteriorated.

After months of investigations and treatment, doctors eventually diagnosed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) – a condition that can develop following an injury or surgery.

Ollie also suffers neuropathic pain, associated with changes or disruption in how the nervous system processes pain signals.

Lee and Emma said: “For Ollie, the pain is not simply the result of trying to move an injured knee.

“His nervous system is producing pain that affects almost every aspect of his daily life.

“What began as a knee that wouldn’t move properly has left our little boy relying on a wheelchair, unable to attend school and spending most of his days in bed.

“Eight months of pain. A childhood put on hold.”

Now Ollie cannot stand or sit up independently and needs help with everyday activities and requires a wheelchair to get around.

“To go from being so physically fit and independent to being unable to walk without assistance in just eight months has been devastating,” they added.

“And perhaps one of the most difficult things to understand is that Ollie doesn’t even have to move to experience agonising pain.

“One of the most distressing symptoms of Ollie’s condition is an area of skin around his affected knee that has become so sensitive that even the lightest touch can cause excruciating pain.

“Something as ordinary as clothing brushing against his skin can be unbearable.

“Imagine being 11 years old and having to protect part of your body from something as simple as the touch of your own clothes.

“His pain isn’t limited to walking, standing or bending his knee. Even ordinary contact with his skin can cause him significant suffering.

“This is the reality Ollie faces every day.”

Ollie started at Malbank School in year 7 in September, but after months of pain he managed just 45 minutes on his first day.

He tried again twice more but only managed 30 minutes each time.

Since then, his severe pain has prevented him from returning.

His parents added: “While other children his age are settling into their new schools, making friends, learning and enjoying new experiences, Ollie spends most of his days in bed.

“He is missing out not only on his education but also on the friendships, independence and social experiences that are such an important part of growing up.

“We are now waiting for a medical-needs teacher to be arranged so Ollie can begin receiving some education at home.”

Ollie continues to be cared for by specialists at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.

And now Lee and Emma are exploring a treatment called Scrambler Therapy, which is not currently available to Ollie through the NHS in the UK.

It is currently available in Ireland where Ollie will undergo an initial two-week course.

Scrambler Therapy uses electrical stimulation through electrodes placed on the skin. It aims to alter the way pain signals are communicated to the nervous system.

The scientific evidence for its effectiveness in CRPS remains limited.

“We know there is no guarantee that it will work for Ollie.

“Our hope is that it may reduce his pain sufficiently to help him make greater progress with physiotherapy, regain some mobility, return to education and begin enjoying life again.

“Depending on his response, additional treatment sessions may be recommended in an attempt to achieve or maintain meaningful pain relief, potentially even remission.

“However, we understand that remission cannot be promised.”

Other countries that offer the treatment have been ruled out as flying would be too painful for Ollie.

“Although treatment in Ireland is significantly more expensive than the alternatives, it is the only option we have found that allows Ollie to make the journey while accommodating his needs.

“We aren’t choosing the most expensive option. We’re choosing the only one he can realistically manage.”

The family are hoping to raise £7,000 in total initially to start Ollie’s therapy in Ireland, and have already raised nearly half that total via their gofundme page.

His parents added: “We know there are no guarantees.

“But after eight months of watching our son endure severe pain, lose his independence and miss out on so much of his childhood, we want to give him this opportunity.

“We don’t expect miracles. We just want our little boy to have a chance at getting his life back.”

You can help by donating to their gofundme page here.