Now she has organised a fund-raiser for the little boy, who was born prematurely and suffers from a range of medical conditions.

He is due to undergo hip surgery within the next three months and will require intensive therapy to build up the muscle tone and strength he will lose due to the surgery.

Despite his illnesses, including vision impairment, cerebral palsy and past battles with liver cancer, Dexter had the ability to make people smile, Melissa said.

‘‘I think that anyone that meets Dexter falls in love with him instantaneously,’’ she said.

‘‘The family themselves are so special, friendly, easy to get along with,’’ she said.

‘‘I kind of see Dexter as an adopted brother and his sister Charlotte is beautiful.’’

VIDEO: New therapy hope for little battler Dexter

Dexter’s mother Lenice Heffernan said she appreciated the support of family, friends and the community in Kiama.

‘‘It’s nice to know that there are people out there and we’re not on our own going through it all,’’ she said.

‘‘The surgery is happening because his hip isn’t developing properly, it’s starting to come out.

‘‘Both his legs will be in a cast for six weeks ... it will take at least six months to get back physically to where he is pre-surgery.’’

The fund-raiser starts at 7pm tomorrow night at the Kiama Pavilion. Limited seats are available from Melissa Tierney at 0409976987.

Funds raised will be used for a three-week intensive therapy treatment in Adelaide once Dexter has recovered from his hip surgery.