A five-year-old girl with cerebral palsy is on the way to making her Christmas wish, to one day run, leap, and dance with her friends, come true, thanks to the kindness of strangers.

Palace Wood School pupil Lily-Mae Leadsham is now back home in Ringlestone, after spending three weeks recovering from life-changing surgery which will ultimately enable her to walk.

The youngster, whose sixth birthday falls on Christmas Eve, was diagnosed with the condition aged two, meaning she relied on a frame to move around.

Lily-Mae was deemed too young to take part in an NHS-funded trial so her family faced a bill of £27,000 for the surgery plus £30,000 of aftercare, sparking a fundraising campaign which saw donations flood in from people across Kent.

Mum Kerry, 31, from Finch Court, said: “The incredible thing is she was smiling after the operation, she is just the happiest child and refuses to let anything bother her.”

The special procedure, selective dorsal rhizotomy, took place at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital and should help reduce spasticity in her legs.

Since returning home she has been having physiotherapy three times a day, with the aim of returning to school, in
Ash Grove, for half-days in January.

“She’s got to learn to use muscles she has never used before,” the mother-of-three added.

“She can take small steps with a frame. She’s not fully walking yet but she’s working so hard, it’s definite progress and we’re heading in the right direction.

“It’s a lovely present to have just before Christmas but we’re taking every day as it comes.”

Since the campaign launched, nearly two years ago, money has been raised through events including quiz nights and a sponsored kayak, and Lily-Mae’s family are now less than £10,000 off their target.

As well as the operation, it has enabled them to fund equipment to boost her strength, including a treadmill and therapy bench.

Mrs Leadsham added: “It didn’t seem possible to raise nearly £60,000 but the response has been amazing. I think we’re going to do it.

n To donate to Lily-Mae’s fund visit tinyurl.com/lilymaeKM