The family of Theo Knott have announced they have increased their fundraising target by an extra £20,000 to ensure the youngster is able to access a full aftercare package.

Steven Knott and Naomi Morton, of College Road, Deal, had aimed to raise £50,000 to pay for a life-changing operation for their five-year-old son, who has cerebral palsy.

The procedure is called selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) and will reduce the tightness in his legs, helping him to walk and to be pain-free.

An SDR co-ordinator at Great Ormond Street Hospital had initially told the family the operation and vital aftercare would cost between £50,000 and £57,000.

Theo’s parents set a fundraising target of £50,000. But in recent months, Ms Morton has been told by other families whose children have undergone the procedure that £50,000 is unlikely to cover the cost of all of Theo’s aftercare.

Miss Morton was told some of the children are still receiving regular and ongoing physio after four years.

It has prompted them to increase the target to a more realistic £70,000.

Ms Morton said: “It is with a heavy heart that we are asking the community to continue their fundraising for Theo.

“We already thought that £50,000 was too much to ask but this is for our child and we want to be able to do it for him.

“People have been so generous so far and it’s been overwhelming but we don’t want to take advantage.

“After the operation, Theo’s muscles are going to be floppy and they’re going to have to be rebuilt.

“It’s going to take years of physio therapy which costs about £90 for 40 minutes and will be five times a week. Some of these people’s children are still receiving that kind of physio four years down the line.

“We just want to make sure that we’ve got enough for Theo. We want him to reach his full potential.”

The money is looked after by the charity Just4Children and if it is not used it will go to other children looked after by the charity.

The family are delighted to have reached £50,000 in fundraising which will cover the cost of the operation and some aftercare.

They have been told the operation is likely to be in August. It will be at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and Theo will be required to stay in hospital for three weeks.

Past fundraising events include a dance show by Dance Dynamique and a fitness challenge on an assault course at Betteshanger Country Park run by MY/PT, a military fitness company based there.

To donate visit justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/just4children/theosmissiontowalk