Models galore to boost 'little brave warrior' Tommy Gilbert

And after the "best" exhibition yet saw over 1,000 people flock to Lowestoft last year to see more than 200 exhibitors, the talents of local artisans and clubs will make a welcome return this weekend.

The ninth Lowestoft Model Engineering and Model Making Exhibition returns this weekend. Picture: Kevin Rackham (Image: Kevin Rackham) The ninth Lowestoft Model Engineering and Model Making Exhibition will take place at the Energy Skills Centre and sixth form college at East Coast College in Lowestoft over the weekend of November 2/3.

As the event again showcases modelling clubs and societies with a range of different disciplines, this year's beneficiary is "little brave warrior" Tommy Gilbert.

Brave Tommy Gilbert, four, has been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of epilepsy - making him only the 30th person in the world with this diagnosis. Picture: The Gilbert family (Image: The Gilbert family)

With the exhibition organised by the Halesworth and District Model Engineering Society, Kevin Rackham, exhibition committee chairman, said: "The exhibition is now probably the biggest of its type in East Anglia."

The ninth Lowestoft Model Engineering and Model Making Exhibition returns this weekend. Picture: Kevin Rackham (Image: Kevin Rackham)

As well as featuring traditional model engineering in all its guises, boats, aircraft, model railways, fun fairs, radio controlled trucks, Star Wars and Daleks will be showcased inside, with live steam traction engines and lorries as well as radio-controlled cars and lorries outside, weather permitting.

The ninth Lowestoft Model Engineering and Model Making Exhibition returns this weekend. Picture: Kevin Rackham (Image: Kevin Rackham) With trade stands and refreshments, cash only entry is £7.50 for adults, children aged 12 to 18 is £2.50 with accompanied under 12's free.

Mr Rackham said: "The beneficiary this year will be little Tommy Gilbert."

When Tommy was 18-months-old he was diagnosed with a very rare form of epilepsy - making him only "the 30th person in the world" to have this condition identified.

Brave Tommy Gilbert, four, has been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of epilepsy - making him only the 30th person in the world with this diagnosis. Picture: The Gilbert family (Image: The Gilbert family)

The battling four-year-old, from Lowestoft, has suffered hundreds of seizures and already endured more hospital appointments, scans, tests and treatments than most people would ever have in a lifetime.

Mr Rackham added: "Tommy cannot walk or talk or do any of the normal activities usually associated with a four-year-old.

"Money raised from the exhibition will go towards a special disabled car seat to keep him safe and postural supported."

Visit the exhibition website for further details.