A boy whose parents want him to be given cannabis to treat a rare form of epilepsy is to hand in a petition to Downing Street.
The petition calls for the Government to allow six-year-old Alfie Dingley to be given cannabis to alleviate his severe seizures.
His parents want the Government to let him use the medication, a banned substance in the UK, through a special licence.
The family of Alfie Dingley are appealing for him to be allowed to take medicinal cannabis to alleviate his severe seizures (Maggie Deacon/PA)
Aflie and his mother Hannah Deacon are to hand a petition signed by more than 370,000 people backing their appeal to Number 10.
The youngster has previously travelled to the Netherlands so he could be treated with cannabis oil.
He has been admitted to hospital three times in the last month due to the severity of his symptoms.
Alfie suffers a rare form of epilepsy that results in up to 150 potentially life threatening seizures a month.
But his family said that with the treatment of medicinal cannabis, these seizures were reduced to just one per month.
Ms Deacon said: “I am beside myself with worry. He’s my son. He’s sick.
“We know that medical cannabis works for him. We’ve seen that with our own eyes.
“We’ve had a meeting with the Home Office during which they offered hope of a special trial that would allow Alfie access to this vital medicine. But no action and no firm commitment has been made that they will grant the licence required for that trial.
“His life’s in danger. This isn’t a time for bureaucracy – this is a time for compassion.”
Ms Deacon and her son will deliver the petition to 10 Downing Street (Maggie Deacon/PA)
Ms Deacon, from Kenilworth in Warwickshire, added: “I don’t want to break the law by going to Holland and bringing his medical cannabis into the UK illegally. That could get me a criminal record and all the problems that would cause for the rest of the family.
“Alfie is a patient, and I shouldn’t have to risk being branded a criminal for getting him access to his medicine.
“I’m his mum and I’m going to move heaven and earth in Westminster to save him. Any politicians, however senior, that put bureaucracy before saving a vulnerable and brave six-year-old need to look in the mirror.”
A number of high-profile campaigners have backed the campaign, including Joanna Lumley and Sir Richard Branson.
The Home Office has previously said it would consider a medical cannabis trial as an option for Alfie.