THANKS to tireless fundraising a 10-year-old Tetbury youngster has been told he can have an operation which could help him walk again.

The parents of cerebral palsy sufferer Lewis Munday, have spent the last year trying to raise £35,000 to pay for the five-hour selective dorsal rhizotomy operation.

And after reaching their target they have been told by the Frenchay hospital in Bristol that Lewis, who walks with the assistance of a frame, can have the operation around January or February next year.

Louise Ponting, Lewis's mum said: “I got the call from his surgeon on the December 9 at 10.30 in the morning – not that I memorised the time or date or anything. It is brilliant news, it was amazing to hear. I know everything we have done was worth while. His teachers and everyone cried when they heard the news.”

Lewis, who attends St Mary’s Primary School in Tetbury was just as elated as his mum with the news of his operation.

“I am nervous but pleased. This will be something to look forward to,” he said.

Lewis’ condition causes him to have stiff legs and means he is often confined to a wheel chair.

As part of the operation the nerve endings connected to the stiff muscles are severed, which allow will allow to build them up again himself through exercise.

Throughout the last year the community of Tetbury has rallied round to make donations and organised a series of fundraising events for sports-mad Lewis, who plays football for a Tetbury Town FC junior team .

And despite reaching target, donations for the fund for Lewis are still flooding in, with Tetbury Town FC this week donating £5000 from a football match between the club and a team of ex-professional players that was cancelled.

The family are also expected to receive a further donations such as £5000 from the Rotary Club of the South Cotwolds.

Louise says that the extra cash is much needed and will be spent on providing care and support for Lewis after his operation or donated to charity.

“It will be brilliant if we can get him a wheelchair and get him extra things that we haven’t budgeted for.

“If there is anything left at the end of this it will be donated to a children’s charity like Tree of Hope.”

If you wish to donate to the fund for Lewis then visit justgiving.com/lewis-munday1