Fundraising events are continuing for the campaign to help Oliver Poinsignon have an operation which could transform his life.

The five-year-old's family and friends are trying to raise £52,000 for the youngster to have surgery so he can jump, run and climb like other boys his age.

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 afterwards.

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The Argus is running a campaign urging people across Sussex to help the family hit the target as soon as possible.

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.

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.

Fundraisers have included a Boxing Day dip in the sea in Devon and a horse show at the Brendon Pyecombe stud farm at London Road, Pyecombe, on December 30.

Donations have also continued to flow on to the campaign's justgiving website.

One recent donation of £500 came from Karen Jack, from Green Ways Countryside Management Ltd in Lancing.

She wrote: “Hope this small donation helps towards you gaining the freedom to move without pain Oliver.”

Oliver's mother told The Argus they were hoping to get a confirmed date for his operation soon although the fundraising would continue apace.

She said the family were extremely grateful for all the help and support people had shown.

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.