THE mum of three-year-old Harry Kirkman, who needs a life-changing operation to help him walk better, said she is confident that little but often fundraisers will help the family reach their £60,000 target.

Charlotte Deegan of Crescent Road, Melksham embarked on the mammoth fundraising challenge earlier this year for the Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy operation, not available in the UK on the NHS, for her son, who has cerebral palsy.

The groundbreaking surgery will help reduce the spasticity in his legs – giving him the best chance to be able to walk unaided.

At a charity fun day organised by the family’s local Co-Operative shop, they were able to raise £712.20 in addition to £400 which five-year-old Scarlett Holland raised by cutting off nearly five inches of her hair, bringing the fund total to more than £10,000.

Miss Deegan said: “It went really well and we nearly ran out of raffle prizes which was amazing because it was so busy.

“We were surprised at how busy it was because of the bad weather but it was great to hold it inside.”

Other highlights across the all-day event included a cake sale, bouncy castle, secondhand sale and face painting for children.

The mum-of-two added that since she went public with the fundraiser, there are a number of events lined up to help add to the total including a parachute jump, a medium night in January, a charity ball and a golf tournament.

“The response from people has been really good and any little bit really does help,” she said.

“Scarlett is only a five-year-old girl and for the idea to come from her is just so lovely. To have people donate, especially people we don’t even know, is just heart-warming. We’ve had people contact us to ask if we mind them putting on fundraisers for Harry and it is little things like that which touch your heart.”

Working with the Darren Wright Foundation, the family hopes to raise the funds before June 2016, which is when the family plans to make its way to the US.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/helping-harry