A date has been set for an operation that could change a little boy's life.

Oliver Poinsignon is due to go into hospital next month for surgery that could help him jump, run and climb like other children his age.

The Argus is campaigning to help the five-year-old's family and friends raise the £52,000 needed to cover the cost of the operation and the expensive equipment and physiotherapy sessions he will need afterwards.

Enough money has now been raised to cover the cost of surgery and Oliver will be going in to Great Ormond Street Hospital on February 7.

However the fundraising will be continuing in earnest in 2014 with calls for businesses and individuals across Sussex to help the family hit their target.

In a message posted on Facebook, Oliver's dad Jean-Marc Poinsignon, from Brighton, said a family fundraising day planned for February was now being postponed until April 13 so the youngster would be able to attend.

He said: “In the meantime, please let's carry on raising the rest of the money necessary to Oliver to be able to walk pretty much like any others.

“Thank you very much to all of you.”

The Argus Appeal has pledged £5,000 to the fund, bringing the current total close to £40,000, and money is continuing to come in.

Oliver, who lives with his mother Julie Langmaid in Ashurst, near Steyning, has cerebral palsy and finds it difficult to get around because of extremely tight and painful muscles in his legs.

This will get worse as he gets older and grows.

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

SDR surgery is not routinely avail- able 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.

The original application for NHS funding was rejected.

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