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A heartbroken mum is appealing for birthday cards for her son who told her: "I've had enough of life."

Rhys will turn 14 on September 21, but his mum Tanya Williams fears he is losing hope.

The youngster, from Bolton, Greater Manchester, has a rare life-limiting and agonising skin condition.

At birth, his parents had no idea whether he would ever reach his teenage years.

He is now confined to a wheelchair because of severe epidermolysis bullosa, which results in painful skin blisters, sores and has even caused his fingers to fuse together.

(Image: Bolton News / SWNS)

Rhys says he wishes "a butterfly would come and take him away" and his devastated mum is desperate to show him he has something to fight for.

Ms Williams said: "The last few months, he's had enough of life.

"He's had enough of being in pain with the sores. He just wants to give up, he doesn't want to fight anymore. What do you do as a mum?"

She is now asking for cards to be sent to Rhys in the hopes of showing him that people care.

(Image: Bolton News / SWNS)

She added: "He's such a happy boy most of the time but recently it's a struggle to try and get through to him.

"I don't think he can fight much longer, his life depends on this.

"Rhys' life revolves around school, Xbox, sleep, repeat.

"He doesn't want to go shopping because he doesn't like the way people look at him.

"I don't want him to be in pain anymore but I still want him to be here."

The family has done similar appeals before, gathering Christmas cards from Bolton residents to decorate the house and cheer up Rhys.

Ms Williams said: "Every single card he received, he opened them with so much joy.

"He came home from school and he would see these Christmas cards.

"He got hundreds at a time. It showed him that he still needs to fight, that there's people out there who do care and do love him.

"Hopefully it can make him see that not everything is bad."

Cards can be sent to Rhys at 40 Whalley Avenue, Bolton, BL1 5UD