Nine-year-old Josh Cathcart, of Meadowfield, was born missing the lower half of his right arm and was so desperate to “feel normal” that he wanted to sell his beloved Xbox to help raise money for a robotic arm. Now, donations have been pouring in from all over the world by people touched by his story, including an FMC employee who lost his arm in an accident just last month.

Dad James, who had to watch helplessly as cruel kids taunted Josh with “vicious” name-calling, knows that getting the arm would be a huge difference to his son’s life.

“It would be life-changing for Josh,” he said. “It would give him something he’s always wanted.

“We found out at the 19-week scan that he was missing an arm but it never really fazed us. He was healthy and adapted brilliantly, he’s just so independent.

“When the name-calling started it knocked his confidence. He was always so happy but he got quiet and shy, not talking to people. He said all he wanted was to be normal.

“Every day he would come in sad and upset and it took its toll on us as a family. You want to protect your child and when you can’t it makes you feel bad. The effect has been massive on him. He said he wanted to sell his computer and Xbox to get a new arm – his Xbox is the only thing he plays with so it showed he wanted it that much.” The first bit of good news for the family came around three weeks ago, when Josh visited a company called Touch Bionics to take a muscle sensory test to see if he’d be able to use a bionic arm.

“Normally it takes people weeks to learn how to do it,” said James. “At the start it was a bit delayed, a bit glitchy, but within half an hour he had mastered it! It was really good and it shows how determined he is, how he wants it so badly.

“He could throw a ball and catch it with the arm. It was something else!

“He just wants to be like everyone else. He’s got a massive smile back on his face and he’s doing a lot better.” However, with the revolutionary technology costing around £42,000, the family needed help to raise money and last week decided to set up a Go Fund Me page to share Josh’s story.

Since last Thursday, it has already raised more than £3000 and James has been taken aback by the reaction.

“It shows you how many kind people there are out there,” he said. “We raised around £3000 in three days, which is a lot of money. The response has been amazing and heart-warming. We couldn’t be happier. A lot of people have been reading Josh’s story and been touched by it. It’s great to see.” As the donations continued to come in, the family were overwhelmed when a relative in Australia offered to put up the rest of the cost needed for the arm. “My uncle, who lives in Australia, phoned and said he wanted to make a contribution,” said James. “He offered to cover the whole cost of Josh’s first arm. It should let us get it this side of the year.” However, because Josh is so young, he will grow out of his first arm and will need a new one later on in his life, costing another £42,000.

For James, raising money for a second arm is just as important as getting the first one and he is determined to keep fund-raising until Josh’s future is secured.

“We need to keep going,” he said. “We couldn’t just give him an arm and then have it taken off him. It’s like giving a child sweets and taking them away again, it’s not fair. If we keep going with the fund-raising, we’ll know the money is there for another one when he’s older.” To help Josh, visit http www.gofundme.com/sr9hb9h8