Sport-loving Liam Phillips teenager has been sidelined by a devastating condition which is baffling doctors.

For the past 18 months, the 13-year-old has been suffering from cluster headaches, which have been described as one of the most painful conditions known to man.

When the youngster’s headache attacks strike, he not only has to cope with the pain but also the loss of his balance, and is unable to go to school at Ysgol Dyffryn Taf, Whitland.

“When these bouts occur, he is confined to a wheelchair and has to take an oxygen cylinder around with him, which helps him breathe a little easier,” said his aunt, Debbie Neale.

“The pain is so severe that female sufferers have described it as worse than childbirth.

“Liam’s education has suffered as he has only been in school a few weeks when he is in remission. He loves all kinds of sport, particularly football, and misses all these things very much, including interacting with his friends.”

Liam and his mum Trudie Phillips, who live in Princes Gate, have recently returned from Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, where Liam took part in pioneering medication trials, and they are keeping their fingers crossed that these will have positive effects.

Yesterday (Friday)they helped to raise awareness of the condition, and boost the funds of Ouch (UK) — the Organisation for the Understanding of Cluster Headaches — at a charity evening in Tenby.

“There is so little research and understanding of this condition in the UK that we are hoping to help the charity with some much-needed cash,” she explained.

“Ouch has been instrumental in helping the family cope a bit better and deal in some way with the condition, and we want to give something back.”

ruth.tenby@tiscali.co.uk