The family of Mihdi Brock, the Bermudian child battling a crippling spinal deformity, have made a fresh appeal for donors as money runs out for his care.

Father Marvin Brock said costs for treatments have doubled to $300 from $150 and so treatment had been cut from five sessions a week to three in California where the family lives.

Mr. Brock is now training for a part-time massage job to allow him to work and give Mihdi the care he needs but he said even if he and his wife, who recently lost her job, were both working they would struggle to pay for Mihdi's costs.

A fundraising trip to Bermuda last year brought in some money but that has now been spent, said Mr. Brock.

He said: "It doesn't last long - we are spending $1,000 a week. We ran out of funds two weeks ago and the doctor is having to give us credit."

Mihdi, nearly five-years-old, was close to death three times after being born with a spinal deformity, serious circulation problems and fluid on the brain.

He is now undergoing treatment in California and was recently fitted with a brace.

Mr. Brock said the treatment by Chinese doctor Baolin Wu had been working well but now the family was having to consider downgrading treatment because of lack of funds.

He said: "Recent spinal X-rays confirmed that Mihdi's spinal curves have not increased in spite of a four-inch growth during the past three months

"When we began treatment with Dr. Wu, the curvature was increasing at two degrees a month, so this is excellent.

But now the financial news is bleaker and Mihdi's body is starting to stiffen up because of missed treatment. Mr. Brock said: "We are exhausted, stressed, and broke, but we must persevere, as the treatment plan must continue until Mihdi is in his early 20s."

Donations can be sent to the Mihdi Brock fund at the Bank of Bermuda. The account number is 70123372.