Adam Starling has been in and out of hospitals all his life.

Adam, who is 12, and lives near Watlington, has Lowe Syndrome, which has left him with kidney problems.

But his mother Pauline is hoping that the opening of the new children's hospital next year will make their lives so much easier.

Adam was born with cataracts, has low muscle tone and didn't walk until he was five.

He also has hip problems and his mental development is slower than normal, so he attends John Watson Special School in Wheatley.

Adam has had the cataracts removed, and has also had his hips operated on But problems with his kidneys continue and have to be monitored.

A lot of Adam's treatment has been done as a day case, so he does not have to spend long periods of time as an in-patient, but Mrs Starling said she was looking forward to the opening of the new purpose-built children's hospital.

Mrs Starling, 47, of Upperton, near Watlington, said: "The care Adam has received at the John Radcliffe, the Radcliffe Infirmary, and the Nuffield has been second to none, but it will be a major improvement when all the services are on the same site.

"It is hard work travelling round all the different hospital sites and at times the environment is not ideal for children with adult technology being used.

"Occasionally, Adam has had to visit Great Ormond Street children's hospital in London, because a kidney specialist for children has not been available in Oxfordshire, and I hope that will change.

"I am very grateful to the medical teams who have done so much for Adam over the years and I am delighted to help with the publicity for fundraising for the children's hospital.

"The hospital is due to open next year, so we need a final fundraising push to reach the target."

Mrs Starling's sister Christine, from Thame, whose son Liam is 18 months younger than Adam, and has the same condition, is also treated at Oxford hospitals, and is also looking forward to using the new facilities on the site of the John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington.

Mrs Starling added: "The Lowe Syndrome is genetic and is passed from the mother to the child.

"I have done fundraising before for the Lowe Syndrome charity, but the children's hospital is also a brilliant cause."