MORE than £31,400 has been raised to fund life-changing surgery for a six-year-old boy with cerebral palsy.

Rowan Donlan was born 11 weeks early. At 18 months old, the youngster was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, after parents Helen and Robert noticed that he wasn’t reaching the same milestones as his sister.

The condition causes Rowan, from Newton-le-Willows, to have tight muscle tone, which causes pain and a lack of range of movement and difficulty with balance.

Unfortunately, the surgery he needs – which will reduce the stiffness in Rowan’s legs and allow him much improved mobility – is not funded on the NHS.

The hope is that the surgery will enable him to take his first independent steps.

The family need to raise £21,000 for the life-changing operation and post surgery Rowan will also need at least two years of intensive private Physio, which can cost up to £90 per hour.

This will give the surgery the best chance of success and allow Rowan to be as independent as possible.

Rowan’s mum, Helen, said: “Rowan is a chatty, charming, typical six-year-old boy – he loves Star Wars, baseball, superheroes and playing computer games with his twin sister and big brother.

“He absolutely loves life and is always smiling, but life with cerebral palsy is hard."

"We are also looking to make several home and garden adaptations to make our home accessible for Rowan, to allow him to be as independent as possible.

"Every donation helps us move closer to our target.”

To donate visit treeofhope.org.uk/help-rowan-run.