Music is one of the focal points of Alastair Craig's life. He has a collection of nearly 100 CDs that includes albums from a diverse range of bands including The Beatles and Oxford group Radiohead.

The teenager has a massive knowledge of musical facts and figures gleaned from the Internet and enjoys writing and performing his own songs. He is already looking forward to the Radiohead concert, which is due to take place in South Park, Oxford, on July 7.

Alastair and mum JuneAlastair, 15, from Grove, was born with a congenital form of Muscular Dystrophy, which has left him with weak muscles. It is a non-progressive illness and, although his condition is not expected to deteriorate, he will spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.

A few years ago Alastair underwent surgery when a steel rod was inserted into his back to straighten his spine. He also uses a respirator when he sleeps because one lung is weaker than the other.

Life may not be easy for him but he does not allow his disability to get in the way of living life to the full. He has made lots of friends at King Alfred's School, Wantage, and is also the lead vocalist and guitarist in a band.

Band practice usually takes place at the Craigs' family home, in Grove, and when the other band members - Andrew Warne, Matt Cannon, Edward Bottomley, all 15 and Hugh Gregory, 13 - arrive, Alastair's parents June and Duncan are driven out of the house by the amount of noise the band generates.

Alastair taught himself how to play the guitar and has devised a special way of playing it by holding it flat on his lap, in the same way as Ben Harper, the celebrated Blues musician.

Though in many ways Alastair is able to look after himself and lead a normal teenage life he still needs help from his mother June, a learning support assistant, with his day-to-day routine.

He also regularly stays at Helen House for a few days at a time to get away from it all and give June and Duncan a break and time to enjoy themselves together without worrying about who is looking after Alastair.

While Alastair enjoys his visits to Helen House, he is one of several young people waiting for Douglas House, a hospice for young adults, to be built.

A campaign is underway to raise £4m to build the home in the grounds of Helen House. It will offer respite care for people aged between 16 and 40 with life-limiting illnesses.

Alastair cannot wait for Douglas House to be built. Like many young people in his position he is beginning to feel a bit old to stay at a children's hospice.

He says: "Helen House is a great place but, at the end of the day, it is designed for children. I'm looking forward to Douglas House being built because it will give me greater independence. For example, I will be able to prepare meals for myself rather than have them cooked for me - or go out into the grounds if I want to, without having to have the door opened for me."

Douglas House will be the first home of its kind in the world. It will have tailor-made facilities for young people including a computer room, a music room and a make-up parlour. Guests will be able to have family and friends stay with them at the home in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

June says: "Alastair always enjoys going to Helen House, but the time has come when he needs a change of atmosphere and to mix with people of the same age, rather than young children.

"Douglas House will give him the opportunity to spend time with people who have the same interests as him. We're all looking forward to it being ready."

Alastair features in the Douglas House promotional video, which is currently being sold to spread the word about the Douglas House campaign and highlight how important it is that the home is built as soon as possible.

The nine-minute video opens with Alastair strumming on his guitar and singing along to one of Radiohead's tracks.

Duncan, manager of a printing company, says: "A lot of thought has gone into what would be the best facilities to include at Douglas House. It will be wonderful ."

The Craigs have thrown their weight behind fundraising for the appeal. June has started making wedding invitations and event tickets to sell and raise money for Douglas House.

May be, one day, Alastair will write a song about it all.

**Anyone who would like to make a donation to the Douglas House appeal fund is asked to call 01865 794749 or send an e-mail to douglashouse@ukonline.co.uk You can also send a cheque, made payable to Douglas House, to: The Douglas House Appeal, 110 St Mary's Road, Oxford, OX4 1QD.