FRIENDS of an inveterate fundraiser are staging a new charity fun night on his behalf as he is too unwell to arrange it himself.

Andrew Baker, 22, has been in and out of hospital since the age of 12 after needing complex brain surgery to remove a bony spur in his skull.

But while it seemed he had made a full recovery by 2006, he started suffering intense headaches, nausea, dizziness and walking problems last year.

After his operation, he founded the Play2Give fundraising campaign, collecting more than £20,000 for Oxford Children’s Hospital.

Medics are still trying to diagnose the cause of his problems, and Mr Baker is receiving treatment at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London.

On Saturday, October 23, the latest Play2Give fun night will be staged at the Bowyer Arms, in Radley, raising money for the children’s hospital and Footsteps Foundation, which provides physiotherapy to children suffering neurological disorders.

Mr Baker, of King Walk, Didcot, said he was glad to be back raising money, but said the night was being organised by friends Alison Russell and Alison Smith because of his health.

He said: “This year, the night will be even bigger, finishing with fireworks. It should be a brilliant night out and lots of fun. We will hopefully be able to raise lots of money for my favourite charities.”

He added: “I’m not able to organise it, because I’ve been told not to do too much until I am well again.

“I am still getting the same symptoms, with my balance and my walking, but I have had a really positive meeting with a doctor in London, and she thinks she knows what might be causing them.

“It may be an undiagnosed neurological condition from birth, that has started affecting me as I have got older.”

He said he was waiting to return to London for a new MRI scan and further tests.

Mrs Russell, who met Mr Baker at his Play2Give football tournaments, said: “It is amazing what Andrew has done. He is a crazy guy, very forward and pushy, but in a very good way.”

And Mrs Stone added: “He is an inspiration. I do not understand how he carries on doing what he does when he is quite ill. He is so determined, that he just carries on raising money for charity.”

The charity night will include live music from Dead Jerichos, a disco, karaoke, raffle and games.

Mrs Smith also appealed for local companies to sponsor the fireworks display.