�A Romford girl’s family must raise �15,000 by the end of February so she can have an operation to take her first steps.

Ellie-Louise Sudbury, nine, was diagnosed with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy as a child. The condition means the muscles in her arms and legs are tight and painful. She cannot walk and uses a wheelchair.

She is hoping to have a selective dorsal rhizotomy procedure in Missouri, USA, on her spinal cord and legs, followed by intensive therapy.

Therapy

The operation will involve cutting a nerve in her spine and then operating on the muscles in both her legs. She will need a month of therapy after the operation to help her walk.

Family and friends have raised �30,000 for the operation through fundraising events over the past few months.

Her mum Siobhan Stevens, of Gobions Avenue, Romford, said: “We have now received Ellie’s operation date – March 9. We are at �30,000 and have to pay for her surgery by the end of next month.

“We desperately need to raise the rest as Ellie will not be able to have the operation.

“We know it is a lot of money, but we have raised so much already, and just need that extra push.”

The group’s next fundraising event will be a race night on February 18 at the Aspen Tree pub, in Romford and a bag packing event at M&S on the same day.

They have previously held sponsored walks, a Zumbathon, sponsored waxing and a sponsored skip at Ellie-Louise’s school Parklands Junior School in September.

She has also been the focus of The New Inn Pub in Gidea Park, where staff have helped to raise funds on charity nights.