A community has rallied round to help raise more than £25,000 to help fund an operation that will help a two-year-old Oldham boy walk pain-free without a walking frame.
Leo Stott, from Shaw, Oldham, suffers from spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, which affects the bones and muscles in his legs.
Like most young boys, Leo loves having a kick-around with his friends, but due to his condition he cannot walk, let alone play football without his aid.
Leo’s mum, Cara Oldham, from Shaw, 24, said: “He was diagnosed at one. We didn’t know when he was born.
“He started physio and getting things we needed from the NHS and then he got stronger and got to the strength he’s at now.
FOOTBALL MAD: Leo dreams of playing football without his frame
“It’s got to the point now where he needs his operation because his bones in his legs are twisting and getting tighter in his muscles, and he’s getting in a bit of pain, which will only get worse.
“The operation cancels out all the pain and stops his legs from twisting more and fusing.”
Cara says she has been told that Leo is unable to receive the operation he desperately needs because of ‘restructuring’.
Up until around four years ago the operation, Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy, was available on the NHS, but this is no longer the case.
“Apparently they’re looking into it now but god knows how long that will take. Leo needs it done before he’s four really,” she said.
Undeterred, Cara and Leo’s dad, Sam Stott, also from Shaw, decided if they wanted something doing about it, they would have to do it on themselves – which meant raising £45,000.
“It’s just frustrating really but we said instead of venting our anger out on the NHS we’d rather just fund raise the money and get him the operation that way,” she told MM.
VIP: Leo cheers on Olham Athletic after walking out with the team as a mascot
The results were staggering. Within weeks Leo’s JustGiving page racked up thousands, and now around a month later the total stands at just over £25,000.
“We live in quite a small community and they helped massively,” she said.
“They really pulled together and got the word round and sorted out events. We weren’t surprised as such but we didn’t expect to get so much so soon.”
As word spread of Leo’s plight, Oldham Athletic came across an article in the local paper about his dream to play football with his mates without his walking frame.
Club officials got in contact with Cara and invited little Leo to attend a pre-season match as a mascot at Boundary Park earlier this month. Leo was ecstatic with the news.
“He just loves football. I couldn’t get him to bed that night because he was so excited,” she said.
During the match Cara went round with the buckets to collect money for Leo’s cause, raising around £900.
“He was really giddy and excited. He just absolutely loved the whole thing,” Cara said.
MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE: Cara hopes she can help fund the life-changing operation
Little Leo is set to return to Boundary Park on August 2 when they take on Huddersfield Town in a pre-season friendly.
Leo’s parents are now in talks with Leeds hospital to have his operation in November, provided they raise the money in time. However, Cara says the campaign will run for as long as necessary.
Several fund raising events are planned in the coming weeks which should help Leo take a huge step closer towards achieving his dream.
Cara added: “He’s never going to be to able walk miles, but just to be able to walk round school or play football without having to use his frame, just the little things, that would be a massive difference for him.”
To donate to Leos dream to walk, click here. Alternatively, you can text LEOS66 with the amount you wish to donate to 70070.
