WHEN Jacob Houghton’s favourite Thomas the Tank Engine toy broke after almost 14 years, his mum did not know where to turn.

Seventeen-year-old Jacob, who has special needs and does not speak, could not understand what had happened to his Thomas the Great Quiz gadget and the toy has been discontinued so mum Janet could not find a replacement anywhere.

But then the team at the Little Blue Cup project stepped in with an appeal for anyone who might have a version of the toy at home and would be able to send it to Jacob. The plea has now been shared more than 700 times as kind-hearted parents offer their help.

Mum-of-two Janet, from Orford, said: “As toys become more electronic there’s fewer and fewer that Jacob will understand. You are just looking for anything he can do by himself for a few minutes so you can have a moment to peel potatoes and things.

“Jacob’s always liked that toy because of the phrases it says, like ‘fantastic, well done’. There aren’t many phrases that make sense to him but that one does. It just makes him laugh his head off, it’s sheer joy like he’s won the lottery or something.

"Toys don't mean an awful lot to him but every now and then he finds one he loves. Now I have had to hide it because he's dying to play with it and I can't explain why it's broken to him.

“The appeal has restored my faith in humanity, it’s been amazing. When you’re a special needs mum you don’t live in the world that everyone else lives in. You are isolated and have to struggle for everything, like education. A tiny thing like this means a lot.”

Jacob, who studies at Green Lane Sixth Form College, was only the 13th child in the country to be diagnosed with the rare Phelan McDermid Syndrome but thanks to the appeal Janet has made friends with parents who are going through similar experiences.

Bolton Wanderers fan Jacob also loves sport thanks to years spent watching his older brother, Alex, play. Janet said: “He adores his brother, he’s the best person in the world to him. Jacob has got a Bolton Wanderers season ticket and he never coped with crowds before but his love of football has helped him overcome that. Rain, hail or sunshine he will stand at the side of the pitch watching.”

A new Thomas toy is now on its way to Jacob and Janet is hoping a few spares might also be donated. She said: “I can’t find enough words to thank Little Blue Cup.”

Visit facebook.com/LittleBlueCup to help.