The fundraising campaign to help a little boy jump, run and climb like other youngsters is showing no signs of slowing.

The family of Oliver Poinsignon are trying to raise £52,000 to help the five-year-old have surgery which could transform his life.

The Argus is urging businesses and individuals throughout Sussex to help them hit their target as quickly as possible.

The family have already raised enough for them to book the operation itself, but they also need funding for the intensive follow-up physiotherapy treatment and equipment Oliver will need after surgery.


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Oliver has cerebral palsy and 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.

The paper’s charity, The Argus Appeal, has pledged £5,000 to support the campaign.

Oliver lives with his mother Julie Langmaid in Ashurst, near Steyning, and his father Jean Marc Poinsignon lives in Brighton.

Ms Langmaid said: “Oliver has seen himself in the paper and he knows about the campaign.

“He knows there will be an operation that will help him and has already been telling people that he wants to do kickboxing some day.

“We are hoping to hear from the hospital soon about a specific date for the operation.

“There is a way to go but the fundraising will continue.

“It will make such a difference for Oliver to have this operation.”

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 goahead 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.

Any individuals or businesses who are interested in making a donation or supporting an event, can contact the campaign via Facebook, searching for SDR4Oliver or through the website at www.justgiving.com/SDR4Oliver.