A Romford girl has five months to raise �40,000 for a life-changing operation which will help her walk.

Ellie-Louise Sudbury, nine, was diagnosed with Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy as a child.

The condition means the muscles in her arms and legs and tight and painful meaning she cannot walk and uses a wheelchair.

She is hoping to have a Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy procedure in Missouri in America on her spinal cord and legs, followed by intensive therapy.

Family and friends have raised �5,300 for the operation, which is due to take place in March, but have another �40,000 to go.

Her mum Siobhan Stevens, of Gobions Avenue, Romford, said: “The operation is booked, we just need to raise all the money for it by February at the latest.

“It is a lot of money, but we are trying to do as many fundraising events as we can to help raise the funds.

“Ellie-Louise can’t walk unaided at all, so she needs this operation to help her. The doctors will basically cut the bad nerve in her spine and then operate on the muscles in both her legs. And she will have to have a month of therapy after it, so it is a big invasive operation.”

On Saturday 20 mums from Parklands School, which Ellie-Louise attends, will be taking part in a sponsored walk from Aspen Tree pub, in Romford, to Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, and back again.

On September 30 there will be an entertainment night at the Russc Club, in Mawney Road, Romford, including a Justin Bieber tribute singer. Tickets are �5 each and available from the club.

Ellie-Louise’s dad Karl and brother Alfie will be doing a sponsored fishing event in Bedford Park, Collier Row, in October.

Miss Stevens also has plans for a Zumbathon and a sponsored wax next month.

If you would like to donate money you can log on to the website www.ellie-louisefundsdr.com.