An 11-year-old Nantwich boy who went from playing football twice a week to spending most of his days in bed is at the centre of a fundraising appeal to help him access treatment in Ireland.

Ollie Wharton's parents, Lee and Emma, are hoping to raise £7,000 for a course of Scrambler Therapy after their son was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

The family say Ollie's life has been turned upside down since he injured his knee playing football in February 2026.

Before the injury, he played for two teams, attended two training sessions and played two matches every week.

But, after months of investigations, hospital appointments and treatment, Ollie was diagnosed with CRPS, a chronic pain condition that can develop following an injury or surgery.

His parents say he now relies on a wheelchair, needs help with everyday activities and has managed just one hour and 45 minutes of secondary school in total.

In their GoFundMe appeal, they said: "Eight months ago, Ollie was an extremely fit, healthy and active boy who loved football.

"Today, he spends most of his days in bed, relies on a wheelchair and lives with severe, relentless pain."

The family say even the lightest touch around Ollie's knee can cause excruciating pain.

Clothing brushing against his skin can be unbearable, meaning he wears a protective bandage over the sensitive area.

Ollie is taking several medications to manage the pain, including Oramorph, a strong morphine-based painkiller, but his parents say he continues to suffer despite the medication.

Lee and Emma are now hoping to take Ollie to Ireland for an initial two-week course of Scrambler Therapy, involving 10 treatment sessions.

The treatment uses electrical stimulation through electrodes placed on the skin and aims to change how pain signals are communicated to the nervous system.

It is not currently available to Ollie through the NHS in the UK. However, the family acknowledge that evidence for its effectiveness in CRPS remains limited and there is no guarantee it will work.

They say travelling by car and ferry is the only practical option because Ollie cannot tolerate sitting in a normal position for extended periods.

The family have stressed that seeking additional treatment is not a criticism of the NHS or the care Ollie receives at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, where he is supported by specialist teams.

Their hope is that treatment could reduce his pain enough to help him make progress with physiotherapy, return to education and eventually get back to the football pitch.

As of the time of this article, the appeal, titled Football Boots to Wheelchair: Ollie's Fight Against CRPS, had raised £3,085 from 101 donations towards its £7,000 target.

To support the family, visit the GoFundMe appeal HERE.

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