NINE-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer Kitty-Boo Cox has been given fresh hope of walking as her physiotherapist says she will walk unaided for the first time.

Kitty-Boo, of Barrow Green, Chippenham, was chosen for an NHS trial and had a spinal operation in February to relieve muscle stiffness caused by cerebral palsy.

Kitty's mum Claire Winks said: “Up until now people have said they have high hopes. But it is the first time a professional has actually told us they believe she will go on to walk unaided. It was a truly magical moment.”

The Charter School pupil has been in the same NHS wheelchair since she was four, but last week Kitty, a fan of princesses and Justin Bieber, received a new up to the minute pink flamingo model thanks to a £3,700 grant from Newlife Foundation.

"It has completely changed her life," said her mum. "She's got complete freedom. I haven't had to push her once. I'm now having to run after her. She can spin around in it, do wheelies in it, give me a heart attack in it."

Since the operation the NHS has funded physio three times a week, but they have now reduced this to funding one session a week and in less than two months it will stop altogether.

To benefit most from her operation Kitty needs to continue seven hours of physio and seven hours of wearing leg braces a week for the next three years – the cost for that will have to come out of her single mum’s pocket.

A boxing night at Sheldon School, Chippenham on May 30 raised £1,000. Ben Heap, who runs Malmesbury Martial Arts, organised the night of 19 fights between local amateur boxers and kickboxers and donated all money made after expenses.

Kitty was blown away when he announced the total at the Kingfisher pub in Hungerdown Lane on Saturday.

Miss Winks said: “A massive big thank you to Ben and Hammertime Promotions for raising an absolutely cracking amount.”

Her friend Louise Giles organised a fete in the Kingfisher, which made £416, bringing Kitty's Wish to Walk fund to £15,520.

Miss Winks said: “The money is going to dwindle very fast as it costs hundreds of pounds every month for physio and Kitty is going to need that amount for the next three years.”

Another fete, with donations of toys, books, plants, cakes and clothes, is to be held at the Fortune Inn on Sheldon Road on Saturday, August 1. Cash donations can be made to www.justgiving.com/letsgetkittywalking/