FOR most of his young life, Antonio has awoken each day bloodied, bandaged and in distress. But this week, though the pain that has haunted him since birth has not yet left him, the 18-year-old woke up with something else too—a renewed sense of hope.

Just one week after a fundraising campaign to help the 18-year-old diagnosed with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), (a rare and incurable disease), was highlighted by the Express, the goal has been met by hundreds of generous Express readers.

By last week, the Express was told, the campaign was closed by the One Love Charity which earlier this year launched the drive with the aim of offering monthly support to Antonio and his single mother, Sandra.