A $2500 cheque has been given to local boy Patrick Inwood to help with a kidney transplant he so desperately needs.

Patrick, 16, was born with tuberous sclerosis and also suffers from epilepsy and polycystic kidneys.

Next month he faces his toughest test – a kidney transplant from his mum Helen.

With eight children, Helen works full-time, double shifts sometimes, just to make ends meet.

However, when she has the surgery to remove one of her kidneys there will be no money coming in while she recovers and that is where the donation will help the family.

Patrick and Helen will undergo the operation on March 1. The liquor accord donation will help cover accommodation and food while they are in Sydney for post-operative treatment.

Patrick’s sister Jody has been instrumental in raising awareness and driving the fundraising effort through Project Patrick.

“The transplant is the only option we have left,” Helen said. “Without this project it would have been extremely difficult to manage financially, but we would have done it.”

This is not the first time the Liquor Accord has come to the aid of people in need.

They gave $2500 to the the Charlotte Casavalls Association to help a local family after their two-year-old daughter was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder, and another $2500 to eight-year-old Alan Ryan, who has spent a year battling brain cancer.

“These cases involve local families and local children, so it is very appropriate for us to lend a hand,” Liquor Accord president Robert ‘Stumpy’ Taylor said.

“Hopefully our donations will relieve some of the financial burdens and allow the families to concentrate on spending time with their children.”

To donate to Project Patrick contact Jody Inwood on 0414 079 575 or email jodyinwood@gmail.com.