Paige Stewart struggles to stand on her own and needs a frame to get around, but she wasn’t going to let that get in the way of starting school.

The bubbly four-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, started lessons at Twydall Primary School last Friday.

Mum Julie said Paige is starting to settle in and looks forward to getting a sticker if she doesn’t cry.

She added: “There have been a few upsets. Paige gets anxious about people she doesn’t know looking after her, so there have been some tears. But Wednesday was the first day she went in without any tears.”

Paige has been enjoying playing with dolls and using her imagination in the classroom’s home corner.

Her parents, Julie and David, of Canterbury Street, Gillingham, have launched a fundraising campaign, backed by the Medway Messenger, to pay for an operation to help Paige walk.

The surgery, not available on the NHS, costs £17,500, and Paige would need physiotherapy costing another £22,500.

"£40,000 is a lot, but you cannot put a price on your child being able to walk" - mum Julie

Paige is desperate to ride a scooter, run around with big brother Craig, and walk home from school.

Julie, 34, said: “Paige is getting much stiffer in her legs. She has been given botox to help, but at the moment it is painful for her to even stand.”

Paige was diagnosed three days after her first birthday. At that point, she was unable to sit up, roll or crawl, and had very little use in her right arm.

Through physiotherapy, she has managed to learn to crawl, pull herself up and walk with the help of splints and a frame.

The surgery would involve cutting nerve endings to stop the spasms in her legs, so she can walk more easily and eventually unaided.

Julie said: “The operation needs to be done between the ages of four and 10 so we have started fundraising now to give us as much time as possible to raise the money.

“£40,000 is a lot, but you cannot put a price on your child being able to walk.

“She is such an independent little girl in her personality, it would mean the world for her to be independent in her mobility too.”

Mum Julie has organised a ladies’ evening to help kickstart the fundraising for Paige. It is being held at Bredhurst Village Hall, Hurstwood Road, on Saturday, October 25 from 7.30pm.

There will be therapists offering treatments, stalls, a bar with topless waiter service and a DJ. Tickets cost £10, which includes a free glass of buck’s fizz, nibbles and a goody bag.

For tickets, call Julie on 07957 394098 or Natasha Neal on 07468 611710.

Julie is also organising a car wash in Medway later this month, and an event at Pole Fitness School in Gravesend.

To find out about events, search Paige Stewart Appeal on Facebook. To hold one yourself or donate a raffle prize, email paigestewartappeal@gmail.com

Donate at www.justgiving.com/paigestewartappeal