A little Exeter boy with a rare skin condition has won a powerful ally in his battle to get out and about in the sunshine.
Jack Lavers-Mason, six, who lives with his mother Karen, and sister Zara, four at Dunvegan Close, St David's, has an extremely rare skin condition leaving him abnormally sensitive to sunlight.
The condition is neither infectious nor dangerous, but it has a terrible impact on Jack's lifestyle, particularly during the summer months and on holidays.
Called hyroa vacciniforme, it leaves the victim terribly intolerant to naturally occurring UV-A and B radiation.
For Jack just a short exposure to sunlight causes burning, itching or stinging sensations of the skin followed by lumps and blisters.
Which is why his parents have applied for a blue badge parking sticker so they can park as closely as possible to wherever they are going and keep Jack's time in the sun as limited as possible.
But so far they have been turned down - a state of affairs shared by their local councillor Percy Prowse.
Cllr Prowse, who is waiting to undergo a double hip replacement operation has also applied and been turned down for a blue badge.
Now he is taking up Jack's case - going to the Secretary of State for Transport for an answer.
Said Cllr Prowse: "This young lad is one of only four in the country with this condition - and they say he doesn't meet the criteria for a blue badge.
"It would make so much difference for him to get out and about and save him the real difficulties he has in the sunshine."
Cllr Prowse said he had taken the matter up with the Secretary of State for Transport and received a lengthy reply highlighting the discretion that was available when granting applications for a disabled blue badge.
Siad Cllr Prowse: "Basically it says that desk top assessment are not sufficient grounds for refusing a blue badge .
"We are now awaiting letters of support from Jack's GP and consultant to support his application.
As for his own application, Mr Prowse said he too was turned down after a desk top assessment.
"Basically they asked me a few questions, including could I make a sandwich, and then I was asked to walk around a car park in Marsh Barton in the rain.
"They then wrote back to say I couldn't have a badge because I could walk unaided.
"I am awaiting a double hip operation and my GP has supported the application.
"Now I know that desk top assessments are not sufficient grounds for refusal I shall follow it up."
