A BOY with cerebral palsy has undergone life-changing surgery which will help him walk independently after his parents raised more than £60,000.

Oliver Armstrong, from Newport, was born prematurely with his twin brother and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy spastic diplegia at 18 months after his parents realised he was not reaching his milestones, such as crawling.

The three-year-old had Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) surgery at Bristol’s Children’s Hospital last week and is due to be discharged from hospital tomorrow.

Mum Jane Parker said: “The operation went well. He was in pain afterwards, but he has come round a lot.

“He is just looking forward to coming home.”

The mum said the focus will now be on his physiotherapy, with the aim to strengthen his legs so he can walk better.

“I would like to thank everybody for their support,” she added. “The last few months have been stressful but hopefully everything will be ok.”

The parents launched a fundraising appeal last year after being told funding from NHS Wales was not widely available. They raised £60,000 in less than a year to pay for the operation.

Ms Parker said any money raised from now on will go towards the physiotherapy, adding Oliver's dad Anthony Armstrong will be doing the Newport Marathon at the end of April.