HEARING the news that Gordon Brown's baby son has been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis brought back terrible memories for Hampshire mum Fiona Keyzor.

Her little boy Oliver, 10, was diagnosed with the condition four-and-a-half years ago - and she can fully understand what the Chancellor and his wife Sarah are going through.

"When I was told the news I went through a period of mourning. You have this precious person that you brought into the world and all of a sudden all the hope you had for their future is snatched away in a second.

"Hearing about Gordon Brown and his son made me feel quite emotional. It brought it all back and made me think abut Oliver," she said.

The Chancellor and his wife were told their younger son might have the condition shortly after his birth in July.

A spokesman for Mr Brown said that despite confirmation of the diagnosis Fraser was "fit, healthy and making all the progress that you would expect any little boy to make".

"Thousands of other parents are in the same position," the spokesman added.

"The NHS is doing a great job, and Gordon and Sarah are very optimistic that the advances being made in medicine will help him and many others, and they hope to be able to play their part in doing what they can to help others."

Keeping a child well who has cystic fibrosis involves hard work and perseverance. Oliver's daily routine involves taking tablets, using nebulisers and two sets of physiotherapy.

"You have to be organised and plan ahead - you can't just get up and go."

"Oliver doesn't let his condition stand in his way - he is a keen sportsman playing rugby, swimming and hiking with his dad Richard as well as enjoying the trampoline.

"And with the encouragement of his school Oliver has just started to play the trumpet.

"We have encouraged him to take up a lot of sport and he can count that as his physio too - it helps to make his life a lot more normal," she said.

Looking ahead, Fiona said she is confident there will be a medical breakthrough: "You have to hold on to the thought that at some point in the future there will be a cure.

"When you are living with a condition that affects life expectancy, you look to the future - you have to enjoy every day and make sure you get the most out of every day," she said.

Fiona explained her son was pragmatic about his situation.

"He is aware of his life expectancy and his attitude is that he's not going to get that sick," she said.

The 65 Roses Dinner and Dance will be held at the De Vere Hotel, Southampton, in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust on February 2, 2007. Tickets cost £65. Call Caroline Taylor on 07973 839547 for details.