A CAMPAIGN to find £60,000 to help a Newbridge schoolboy walk again raised more than £14,000 in its first two months.

The Argus reported in November that the family of seven-year-old Curtis Bowditch needed to raise thousands of pounds for an operation that will help him walk on his own.

Curtis was left profoundly deaf and with cerebral palsy when he was born 15 weeks premature.

His cerebral palsy caused stiffness in his leg muscles, called spastic displegia, which means he cannot put his feet flat and uses a walking frame or wheelchair to get around.

A pioneering operation called selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) would cut nerve fibres in Curtis’ spine, allowing himto straighten his legs and walk unaided, but the procedure is not automatically available on the NHS, and Curtis could have to travel to America for treatment, where the operation is more common. But surgery and physio could cost £60,000.

Curtis’ mum, Rachel Booton, and stepdad, Jason Mcilwee, launched the Curtis Bowditch Appeal to raise the cash, and have now collected £14,493.92 through events such as sponsored walks and Chinese auctions.

There have also been donations from family and friends – and anonymous strangers after Curtis’ story was featured in the Argus.

Miss Booton said the family suffered a slight setback after a decision on whether Curtis’ treatment will be provided on the NHS or whether he qualifies for treatment in the UK was delayed until the new year, but the family was hugely encouraged by the fundraising efforts of supporters so far.

Miss Booton, 29, said: “The response has been amazing, from friends, family, local businesses of all types and sizes, churches, clubs, pubs and also from readers who have sent cheques to the door. We really cannot thank everyone enough and since we began our appeal we have truly realised how amazingly generous people can be.”

To donate or find out about upcoming events search Help Curtis 2 Walk on Facebook or visit helpcurtis2walk.co.uk