A TRADITIONAL variety show is being staged to help a poorly youngster who is not expected to live to be a teenager.

Michael Cartwright, five, was born with a complex condition which means the right side of his heart doesn’t work at all.

The brave youngster had his first open heart surgery when he was just 12 weeks old. Two more operations followed and a fourth is due to take place soon.

But doctors have told mum, Jo, and dad Michael, who is a former paratrooper who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, he will not survive into his teenage years.

Michael’s dad, who was a member of the 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, said: “I had the privilege of seeing this amazing little boy enter this world and to my utter despair, I will see him leave.

“I was working in Iraq when I heard the news I was going to become a father again.

“It was pretty grim out there and when I heard this news I was overjoyed – I could not wait to get home.

“But our good news was soon turned to mixed emotions when we went for one of the baby scans about six months in.

“The doctor sat down and proceeded to explain to us that Michael would be born with complex congenital heart disease.”

Michael was born by Caesarian section. “He did not look ill at all – he looked perfect,” said his dad. “He even managed to make us laugh when he weed on one of the nurses!

“He was whisked away to another hospital which specialised in tiny hearts. He had his first open heart surgery 12 hours after he was born.

“Only five days later we took him home. My boy is tough as old boots, and stubborn. But it’s a battle he will inevitably lose. The doctors say at about 13-years-old.”

The family are now trying to raise £16,000 to make their garden wheelchair-friendly so Michael can play with his siblings - Freyja, who is nine, Odinn, seven, and Brogan, four - and enjoy the time they have left together as much as possible.

Michael, of Colchester, said: “With the money I would make a wheelchair-accessible garden oasis. Everything would be at his height or accessible to him, so he would not have to get out of his chair.

“Any money left would be used to make Michael’s life better.

“I cannot imagine a world without my little boy, but it’s even harder to imagine is a world where I did not do everything I possibly could to make him happy.”

Holland-on-Sea amateur theatre group Haven Lights are staging a fundraising Come To Our Cabaret variety show featuring comedy, music and sketches to help boost the appeal.

Shows are at Jaywick’s Golf Green Hall this Saturday and Holland Public Hall on October 22.

Doors open at 6pm, with a fish and chip supper at 6.30pm. The shows start at 7pm.

Tickets are £8 from Eileen Mattacks on 01255 813197 or from Sylvia Hobbs at the venue.

There is also a fundraising page. To help the appeal visit gofundme.com/michaelgabriel.