AN orienteering weekend has been arranged to raise funds to make a severely disabled youngster's dreams come true.

Christopher Solomon, nine, from South Bank, Middlesbrough, has always wanted to swim with dolphins in the wild.

An appeal fund has been set up to send Christopher, who suffers from autism and epilepsy, to the Dolphin Connection centre in Florida.

Christopher, who has a mental age of three, cannot speak and his mother Angela and sister Nicola hope the experience will inspire him to talk.

Nicola said: "He used to speak a few words, but then suddenly stopped. We hope that a visit to America will improve his self-help skills."

South Bank residents have raised £4,000, but need another £500 to send Christopher on the holiday of a lifetime.

The orienteering event will take place at Stainsacre Hall, Whitby, from Friday, July 14, to Sunday, July 16, and costs £1.25.

Call (01287) 623740 for details.