THE parents of a three-year-old boy suffering brain damage are desperately trying to raise thousands of pounds to pay for treatment in America.

Oliver Johnson was struck down in February and may never walk or talk again following a number of seizures.

Weeks of tests in intensive care at the John Radcliffe Hospital found Oliver has encephalitis – a swelling on the brain.

Parents Michael and Suzanna, from Ambrosden, are now trying to raise £150,000 to get him to America to receive treatment at a specialist brain unit.

The 35-year-old mum said: "It started in February. He had been vomiting so the GP thought he had a bug but he was also dehydrated, confused and lethargic.

"Four days later he was lolling on the sofa. I noticed his face was twitching and he was having a seizure.

"Paramedics came within five minutes and gave him medication to stop the seizures but he stopped breathing, so they had to help him manually."

Oliver was rushed to hospital with his 37-year-old father while Mrs Johnson stayed with their two-month-old daughter Isobelle.

Mr Johnson said: "It was so overwhelming, I did not know what to do - I felt useless.

"They put him into an induced coma to stop the seizures and to find out the problem. Five days later they found damage to the brain and said he may never walk and talk again.

"It felt like the world around us was just falling apart."

Family members now take it in turns to be by his side 24-hours a day as he recovers at the John Radcliffe, also staying in the hospital's Ronald McDonald House - a charity providing family accommodation.

Doctors do not know the cause or how life-changing it will be for Oliver but his parents have taken hope after he recently spoke, saying the words "mum" and "dad".

While the youngster recovers and undergoes physiotherapy, his family is crowdfunding for the worst case scenario where Oliver would have to get treatment overseas.

Depending on test results, Oliver could potentially need physio treatment in The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, or McMaster Children's Hospital in Oregon, both of which are experts on encephalitis according to the family.

Mrs Johnson said: "I have spent about 15-hours putting posters up around Bicester and talking to shops and businesses.

"We are also planning a summer raffle, so are asking people for prizes and to spread the word and Michael is looking for donations for running the Oxford Half Marathon in aid of Ronald McDonald House.

Locals have been supporting the families efforts, including the British Army who have dedicated themselves to fundraising.

The mum added: "It might be more than £150,000, it might be less but all depends on Oliver's health - it is like juggling balls in a dark room.

"If we can just get a little bit of our boy back. He was crazy and just didn't stop - apart from when he sat still for five mins to watch Scooby Doo.

"I would take it all back for him to be running around driving me up the walls again."

To help see gofundme.com/helpsaveolly or facebook.com/helpolivergetbetter/?fref=photo