The family of three-year-old Ollie Baker have thanked Gazette readers for their fundraising efforts after he was accepted for the operation he needs to help him walk.

Ollie, who has spastic diplegia, a form of cerebral palsy, went for an initial assessment and multi-team meeting in Bristol on Friday and was given the all-clear for the surgery, which is not available on the NHS.

His family, from Lyneham, are now just waiting on a date for the private operation at Frenchay Hospital.

His mother, Carol Baker, said generous donations from Gazette readers had helped them raise enough money to cover the operation.

She said: “We have had donations on the justgiving page from people who had read our story in the paper. They would not have got it from anywhere else.”

Although his life-changing operation could be just months away, Ollie has been learning to ride his bike, just like any other young child.

Mrs Baker said: “He’s aware that things are going to happen and things are going to change for him but he’s been very co-operative. Now when he is on his bike he’s just like any other child.”

So far, £35,000 has been raised, enough to cover the operation, by a variety of people through a huge range of different activities.

In March, Goatacre Cricket Club groundsman John Wilkins and Chris Chapman raised more than £7,000 by travelling to all 18 of the country’s first class cricket grounds.

Alex Muse, sports development officer at Wiltshire Council, completed a ten-hour bike ride for Ollie at County Hall in Trowbridge.

After the operation, Ollie will require physio treatment so the family have not stopped raising money just yet.

The family need another £5,000 to cover post-operation physio treat- ment which will initially see Ollie, who turns four in December, require three physio sessions a week at £150 each.

The first four months will cost around £7,500 before treatment can begin to reduce.

The family hope the re-arranged Grittleton Ball in the New Year, which was originally due to take place in October, will be the last big fundraiser.

Mrs Baker said she was thrilled with the progress being made both in terms of fundraising and Ollie’s upcoming operation.

She said: “It’s going well. I was planning on Easter time, but things are moving a lot faster now.”

Readers can donate at: www.justgiving.com/ stepbystep13