Barnoldswick toddler Oliver Rushton, who is currently unable to walk, will undergo his life-changing operation in August.
Oliver, who lives in Carr Road with mum Helen and dad Adam, will undergo the procedure called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy at Leeds General Infirmary on Thursday, August 29th which will hopefully enable him to walk despite suffering from spastic diplegia, a form of cerebral palsy.
The operation will take place just a year after Oliver’s parents began a marathon fund-raising effort.
Since then, a total of £37,000 has been accumulated to cover the cost of the operation and Oliver’s rehabilitation programme after the Rushtons were denied NHS funding.
More money is still to come which will take funds raised close to the £40,000 target which the Rushtons have now settled on.
Eight of Helen’s midwife colleagues at Burnley General Hospital are descending on a total warrior 10km assault course in August while a family friend completes an Iron Man event, also next month.
This follows recent events including Skipton and Silsden Young Farmers’ “It’s a Knockout” and another at Mario’s Restaurant in Barnoldswick.
Helen said: “I just want to thank everybody locally who has donated. It’s really fantastic, I can’t tell you how much it means. I’m excited but apprehensive and a little bit nervous now. Oliver will spend three or four weeks in hospital.
“After that, we know after there’s a long road ahead. Oliver will need two to three days of physio a week for six months and we will work on it at home.”