The father of little Oliver Poinsignon spent the day dressed as a snowman to help boost support for the campaign for the youngster’s Christmas Dreams Come True.

Jean Marc Poinsignon met shoppers at Asda in Hollingbury, Brighton, to talk about the campaign and collect donations.

The Argus is appealing for help to give Oliver, five, a chance to run, jump and climb like any other little boy.

Oliver has cerebral palsy, and his family are trying to raise £52,000 to pay for surgery that could change his life.

He finds it difficult to get around because of extremely tight and painful muscles in his legs, and this will get worse as he gets older and grows.

The operation, called selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) will help him walk more easily.

His family had already raised more than £26,000 towards the cost of surgery, follow-up physiotherapy and equipment.

The Argus has launched a campaign calling on people and businesses across Sussex to help with the final push and hit the £52,000 target.

Best-selling author Peter James, who has thrown his support behind the campaign, said: “When we read about someone like Oliver Poinsignon, it puts all our own petty problems into the shade.

“It is wonderful The Argus is leading the support for this lovely little boy and doing something that really could make a difference for him and his loving family.”

Oliver lives with his mother Julie Langmaid in Ashurst, near Steyning. SDR surgery is not routinely available on the NHS and because it is so expensive and still relatively new, it will normally only be given the go-ahead following an application for funding if all other options have been explored.

Oliver’s surgeons in London believe the sooner he has the operation the better, but their application was rejected.

The paper’s charity, The Argus Appeal, is donating £5,000 to help boost the campaign.

Any individuals or businesses interested in making a donation or support an event, can contact the campaign via Facebook SDR4Oliver or visit www.justgiving.com/SDR4Oliver.