A MOTHER whose baby is at risk of brain damage has thanked a charity which stepped in to buy him a special helmet.

Seven-month-old Finley Cooper was born six weeks premature with a skull deformity called plagiocephaly.

His condition means he has a facial asymmetry which will get worse over time if left untreated, and because his skull is misshaped, it could put pressure on his brain as he grows.

Finley needs to wear a special cranio helmet for 23 hours a day for eight to ten months, to reshape his skull, but these cost £2,500 and the NHS is still reviewing whether it can fund it.

Finley’s mum Michelle, 36, of Leicester Road, Tilbury, was facing a financial headache as Finley needed the helmet straight away.

But then children’s charity Headstart4Babies stepped in and agreed to foot the bill.

Michelle said: “I was really worried Finley would get bullied when he is older.

“His condition would get worse without a helmet, meaning he would get a jaw deformity and have to have surgery later in life – why should he go through that when it can be sorted now?

“It’s disgusting the NHS wouldn’t help straight away. I want to say a big thank you to Headstart4Babies and everyone who made donations.”

Michelle has a Just Giving page online to raise funds for the charity.

To make a donation, go online to www.justgiving.com/FinleyRiver CooperCranioHelmetFund