Surreal! That’s how the mother of a blind toddler described being able to take her son to Thailand for treatment to give him the gift of sight.

Robyn Gough, 24, from Deal, and her two-and-a-half year son Freddie Penny will fly out to the Unique Access Hospital in Bangkok today.

There, the little boy will undergo 14-days of stem cell therapy which involves injections and stimulation of the cells behind his eyes, in a bid to give him vision.

It comes after Miss Gough launched a Mercury-backed appeal in October to raise £25,000 which, thanks to the community, was reached in March.

She said: “It feels so surreal. I’ve got knots in my stomach because I’m so nervous but I just want to be on that plane.

“We are still so thankful to everybody who helped. Without the community this opportunity wouldn’t have been possible.”

Freddie has septo-optic dysplasia and part of the condition means his optic nerves are undeveloped, causing blindness.

The technology to restore his sight is not available in the UK but has been available in Thailand for 10 years.

The only option is to travel there, at a cost of £25,000.

Miss Gough said: “This last few weeks we’ve just been preparing for the travel, getting our suitcases and all the relevant documents ready. It’s a 12-hour flight and Freddie has never flown before so I’m not sure how he is going to be.

"I’m going to do him a little bag filled with sweets and toys to keep him occupied. He’ll also have his iPod because he loves to listen to music. I’m hoping he’ll also sleep.”

British Airways has allowed access to the VIP lounge both ways and the hospital has arranged transfers for the family from the airport.

Miss Gough, her mum Jenny and Freddie will be staying at The Emporium Tower. Miss Gough’s father Kevin will join them in the second week.

She said: “We’ll have more information about the procedure and order when we’re there.

“He’s not going to be in any pain but he might be tired from the physical stuff and therapy.”

Miss Gough has already sent doctors the results of Freddie’s MRI scans which they have reviewed and based on his condition and they are confident that the treatment will be successful.

She said: “It’s overwhelming to think that when he returns to Deal he might be able to see.

“But I’m trying to keep an open mind. I don’t want to get my hopes up that he’s going to get complete vision. They have guaranteed some vision.”

She explained that the majority of people started to notice a difference after eight days but it can vary between patients.

It is thought younger patients have a higher success rate.

She added: “They’ve said it can take up to a few months for the full result.”

Miss Gough plans to take the toddler for an electro diagnostics test at Great Ormond Street later in the summer to measure his improvement.

She said: “It has helped other children his age want to walk and crawl because they can see in front of them.

“I’d love for him to be able to experience what seeing is. I would give anything for that.”

Freddie's treatment will begin on Sunday. They will return on Sunday, May 21.

Miss Gough hopes to post updates on Fund for Freddie on Facebook.