The family of cerebral palsy sufferer Kitty-Boo Cox are celebrating after having her life-changing operation scheduled for almost a year sooner than expected.

The eight-year-old ’s operation, which is hoped will allow her to walk unaided, has been pencilled in for mid-January at Bristol Children’s Hospital, one of just five hospitals in the country taking part in a trial which is making the surgery available to Kitty on the NHS for the first time.

Mum Claire Winks, 37, said: “I’m in shock. Kitty is over the moon, absolutely ecstatic, and very nervous. It has all just come so quickly. I really thought it was going to be more towards the end of autumn, because I know some families are still waiting a year after their assessment date.”

The operation involves opening up the bones of the spine to operate on the nerves and relieve muscle stiffness, and will hopefully allow Kitty to avoid needing a wheelchair full-time.

With around just 11 weeks to go, the family now need to make a lot of money for Kitty’s aftercare in a short space of time.

There are already more than £2,700 of donations in her fund, including £1,000 from her grandparents. But £50,000 is needed for three years of daily physiotherapy.

Miss Winks said: “It’s been a massive rollercoaster since it went in the paper. It’s just gone crazy and to get the date so soon, I am in shock. I’ve had complete strangers contacting me offering to help by organising charity events. A cheque came through the post for £30 and I’d never met the lady before. It’s overwhelming, everyone’s been just amazing.”

The Constitutional Club is giving all proceeds from its children’s karaoke event on November 29, 6 to 8pm and adult karaoke from 8pm.

Woodlands Pre-school at Charter Primary School is holsing a Christmas raffle on December 17.

Kitty’s auntie Sarah Ferris is going to walk from Bath Royal United Hospital’s neo-natal clinic back to Chippenham.

Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/letsgetkittywalking/ or via 07944 887933.