JAMIE Cockeram is a typically cheeky schoolboy - but his smile masks the agony of a skin condition which means he suffers blisters at even the slightest touch.

Jamie, aged 5, faces a daily battle against the painful blisters and tearing skin caused by Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB).

Father Simon Cockeram, says the condition is ‘horrific,’ but adds: “He’s had it since he was born, so it’s all he knows.

“Jamie is so resilient and cheeky with a great sense of humour. But now he has begun asking, ‘Why have I got butterfly skin? Will it go away?’ How do we answer him?”

The Lyppard Grange Primary School pupil has permanently bandaged feet due to them being so fragile because he was born with no skin.

They must be changed every other day following his bath, which can take over an hour.

But even with the bandages, Jamie often needs to use a wheelchair as it is too painful for him to walk.

Blisters and skin loss can be found underneath his dressings from falls, which other children would get over within seconds.

Mr Cockeram, aged 46, added: “He fell over on the grass while playing the other day, which is normal for children. But this caused Jamie a big blister on his knee. We had to give him morphine and take him home to clean it up. He deals with this on a daily basis.”

Every morning before the school run and throughout the day, Jamie, from Ronkswood, Worcester, is checked for blisters. Any that are found must be pierced with sterile needles to prevent them spreading across his body.

The condition also means the big toe and second toe on both feet have fused together from the constant damage and scarring he's suffered. And this may happen to his other toes and his fingers if left unprotected, leaving him with ‘mitten like’ hands and feet.

In the future Jamie may need an operation which will separate his fingers and toes.

Mr Cockeram said Jamie has a permanent supply of morphine, adding: “When he is in so much pain his little body shakes uncontrollably.”

Jamie had an operation last year to widen his oesophagus tract due to the build-up of scar tissue.

He frequently gets blisters in his mouth so his food must be soft or mashed up to minimise the damage to his mouth and oesophagus.

Jamie also suffers from corneal abrasions, which means his eyes are hypersensitive to light. Therefore, curtains and blinds must be closed, or he must wear his prescription sunglasses indoors.

Mr Cockeram said: “Jamie has to keep his eyes closed even when the curtains are closed as it’s still too bright for him. He has to play in the dark with his eyes shut tight.

“Those make for interesting days educating and entertaining him at home.”

Inspired by Jamie, his family and friends are taking part in the Worcester 10K run on Sunday, September 15 to raise money for the charity Debra, which supports people with the skin condition.

The charity funds research and healthcare to support people and families affected by RDEB. At the moment, there’s currently no cure for the condition.

Mr Cockeram said: “We are looking forward to the run. For most of us it’s been an opportunity to introduce running into our fitness routine.

“Although we are not training together it’s brought us together in terms of training for this one cause.”

To support the family, donate by visiting www.justgiving.com/fundraising/3generationsrun4eb