The family of a tragic teenager who lost his battle against a medical condition so rare it baffled doctors worldwide are holding a 16th birthday party for him a year on to say thank you to Bradford Royal Infirmary’s children’s ward.

Zak Simpson’s mum Simone Lawless said if it had not been for the support her son had from medical staff on Ward 17, he would not have lived so long.

Now she and Zak’s other family members are organising a big birthday party in his memory to raise funds for the ward so they can buy a computer for young patients to play on.

Zak would have been 16 on April 26. The party will be on Saturday, April 28, from 5pm to 11pm at Omar Khan’s restaurant in Bradford city centre.

“A PS3 or an X-box is what we’re hoping to buy. It’s what Zak loved to play on the most,” said Miss Lawless. “We’re having the party because Zak would have loved it. It’s also a little bit of closure for us.”

Miss Lawless said she went back to Ward 17 last week for the first time since Zak died aged 15. He spent his last days at Martin House children’s hospice.

“It was hard going back on to the ward. The nurses there knew Zak since he was just three days old,” said Miss Lawless.

“If it wasn’t for them and the doctors there I don’t think he would have lived so long, they really kept him going and we will be forever thankful for that.”

Zak, of Laisterdyke, who was a pupil at Bolling Special School, beat the odds to learn to walk and talk. He had a chronic lung condition and an inability to swallow that meant he had to be fed through tubes into his stomach.

Despite severe learning difficulties, he continued to fight his condition into his teenage years, but developed another illness which began to shut down his organs and which finally took his life.

Miss Lawless has been offered the function room free of charge at Omar Khan’s. The party will include a disco, raffle and tombola and Miss Lawless is hoping local businesses will donate prizes.

“We really want to do our best for the children’s ward, get a computer and spend the rest on toys for the younger ones,” she said.

There is an open invitation to anyone who knew Zak or who would like to go along on the night to support the children’s ward.

Any businesses who can help Miss Lawless with her fundraising can contact her on 07749 128198.