An anonymous £1,000 donation has boosted a fundraising appeal to help a five-year-old boy with cerebral palsy to walk.

Just before Christmas Theo Knott’s parents, Steven Knott and Naomi Morton, received the good news that their son had been accepted for a spinal surgery procedure called selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) to reduce the spasticity or tightness in his legs.

With the surgery not available on the NHS, the family set their minds to raising the £50,000 fee.

In less than a month the appeal – branded Theo’s Mission to Walk – has raised more than £6,000, with £1,000 given to the College Road family by a donor who wanted to remain anonymous.

Miss Morton, 26, said: “I was lost for words. They contacted me on Facebook and handed the money to me directly a couple of days before Christmas.

“They said they’d love to see Theo out of pain and be able to walk and just wanted to do what they could to help.

“They have asked to remain anonymous.”

An excited Theo was so pleased to hear about the donation, he and his mum recorded a short video to say thank you.

Sitting in front of the Christmas tree, the child said: “Merry Christmas everyone and thank you for the pennies!”

The surgery has been available in America since 1990 and is often referred to as the miracle operation.

While it will not cure the St Mary’s Primary School pupil, it’s likely to hugely improve his standard of living, helping him to walk and to be pain-free.

After the operation Theo will require intense physiotherapy on a daily basis for a minimum of 12 months and will need to use specialised equipment.

Other therapy to help him reach his full potential will include horse riding, hydrotherapy, swimming and specialised post-SDR physio. He will also be provided with suitable footwear.

Miss Morton said: “All he wants is to run around and play with his friends, and this operation will give him the independence he needs and so badly wants.”

Thanks have also been given to Andrew Parker, Louise Colman, Lloyd Redsull and Liam Ward, who took part in the Boxing Day Dip in Deal, collectively raising about £1,000, and to Carol Knott, who raffled a Christmas cake that raised £65 and prompted a £50 donation.

Miss Morton said: “We’re so thankful. All of this really has made our Christmas.

“If we carry on going this way, we will raise the money quicker than we thought.”

The waiting list for the operation is about six to eight months, but after that time Theo will be kept at the top of the waiting list until the funds are in.

To help Theo and his family reach their £50,000 target, donate here.