Dentist's toddler fund on target

Simon Sobhani has been raising money for 18 months

A three-year-old Iranian boy, who lost both hands in an accident, will receive specialist help in the UK thanks to a Powys dentist.

Simon Sobhani has been raising money for the first stage of Mohammed Reza's hospital treatment for 18 months.

The toddler, from Parasar in northern Iran, lost a hand and an arm below the elbow in a tin roof press.

The dentist, from Llanidloes, Powys, said Mohammed and his father would arrive in Britain at the end of May.

Mr Sobhani has raised enough money for two years of expert medical assistance at Queen Mary's Hospital in London.

He has collected £15,000 so far and hopes to raise a further £3,000 which will secure a third year of treatment.

Mohammed needs to return to the UK each year because he'll outgrow his artificial limbs Simon Sobhani

"Initially, Mohammed will spend up to six weeks at Queen Mary's Hospital where he will learn to operate artificial limbs," said Mr Sobhani, 42.

"Specialists at the hospital will also assess whether Mohammed will require surgery on his arms.

"So far we've raised £15,000 which means Mohammed can have two years' treatment.

"After three years I'm hoping that I can persuade a charity to pay for further treatment.

People in Llanidloes had been "very generous," said Mr Sobhani

"Mohammed needs to return to the UK each year because he'll outgrow his artificial limbs."

Mr Sobhani witnessed Mohammed's accident while visiting relatives in Iran two years ago.

He gave Mohammed life saving first aid before driving him 12 hours across the country to a hospital in the capital, Tehran.

The dentist has organised a variety of events including a nationwide raffle which has so far raised between £4,000 and £5,000.

The winning ticket will be pulled out at a draw at a spring ball to raise more money for Mohammad.

Mr Sobhani said his patients and people in the Llanidloes area had been "very generous."