A BRAVE schoolgirl has already raised more than a third of her target to get life-changing surgery and avoid having her leg amputated.

Seven-year-old Kyra Warrell previously raised £50,000 for her first round of surgery in Israel earlier this year, and is now hoping to raise £95,000 for expert treatment in America.

Parents Neil and Rima, from Westdene in Brighton, say they have been overwhelmed by the response from the community, friends, and family.

Rima said: “The fundraising has been incredible so far with so many people putting their hands in their pockets for a complete stranger.”

Kyra’s school friends have been busy fundraising with one pupil at Westdene Primary School set to raise money by completing a swimathon.

Meanwhile businesses and politicians have supported her cause, including a hair salon in Patcham which is donating all its earnings to the cause.

Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas met the family to continue to show her support.

Rima said: “She provided great advice and supported us when we felt very much alone at the start of our mammoth fundraising task.”

Kyra’s surgeon believes she will be ready for the next stage of surgery by May 2019, which includes the lengthening of her leg by five centimetres.

The Warrells will have to stay in Florida as Kyra needs physiotherapy three times a day to ensure the surgery is successful.

They have already raised £33,875 of the £95,000, which will cover travel, medical bills, physiotherapy and accommodation for four months.

“She needs five surgeries over the next nine years before she is 16,” Rima said.

“Professionals agree they should lengthen her leg but here in the UK they don’t have the resources for therapy.”

Neil kicked off the fundraising by climbing 22,000 metres at High Sports at the Withdean Complex in Brighton.

With his team of supporters, it was the equivalent of scaling Mount Everest, twice.

Rima added: “We already received £55,000 in two months to get her to Israel.

“The important one now is to get her to America next year. Her life will be disrupted but she will be mobile in America and relatively painless.”

Visit: justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/just4children/stepwithkyra