The mum of three-year-old boy who needs an operation and therapy costing £20,000 has been overwhelmed by the generosity of readers since the Lincolnshire Free Press launched an appeal to help him walk again.
Joshua Holmes, of Gedney Drove End, has severe cerebral palsy and is soon to have a major operation to relieve stiffness in his legs.
Since the appeal was launched last month more than £330 has been sent to the Free Press office.
In addition, £200 has been donated to Joshua’s Just Giving page.
Mum Aimee said: “This is fantastic news. We are hoping Joshua will be able to have his operation the next few weeks and start his therapy soon afterwards.
“To tide him over until the operation he is going to have Botox injected in his leg to relax his muscles and help ease the pain.”
By the time Joshua has his operation, he will also have undergone an MRI scan and a bladder test.
Aimee said: “We are grateful for all the donations from readers. Every little helps us towards our goal of seeing Joshua walk again without any pain.
“He’s a lovely little boy – such a brave little man.”
One of the donations brought into the Free Press office was from a man who met Joshua at his health centre.
A note with it said: “My husband had a severe stroke and is very sensitive to disability.
“He was talking about a little boy he had seen in the health centre and the next day the article was in the Free Press.”
In addition to individual donations, a cheque for £200 was also sent in from the Cecil Pywell Community Centre, Holbeach, from a coffee morning.
Another for £49 was from Long Sutton Baptist Church.
To help with the appeal, Joshua’s brother Jake (10) is holding a sponsored silence at a table top sale taking place at Gedney Victory Hall on Saturday, from 11am to 3pm.
A friend of the family, Christina Hillier, will also be holding a sponsored row, with proceeds being shared between Joshua’s Fund and the Cornelia Dilange Syndrome Foundation (CDLF) charity.
To support the fund, write a cheque to the Lincolnshire Free Press Children’s Fund and send it to our office at Priory House, The Crescent, Spalding, PE11 1AB, in an envelope marked Joshua’s Appeal.
Joshua’s progress can also be followed on Facebook at Joshua’s SDR journey.