A date has been set for a Helston schoolboy to undergo pioneering surgery in a bid to help him walk.

Seven-year-old Josh Mills, a pupil at St Michael’s Primary School, will travel to Bristol’s Frenchay Hospital on February 4, for an operation the following day.

If all goes according to plan the operation will mean Josh, who suffers from cerebral palsy, should eventually be able to walk longer distances with crutches and even manage a few steps completely unaided.

Currently the condition affects all four of Josh’s limbs, who is unable to walk or stand unaided.

Josh is due to travel to Bristol with his family today, Wednesday, for a pre-operation assessment ahead of the big date next month.

His mum Jo said: “I’ve tried to explain it to him as much as possible. He knows what’s happening. I keep saying we have to work really hard afterwards.”

To make the operation a success Josh will need regular professional physiotherapy sessions, costing £7,000 in total, to rebuild muscle from scratch.

Since November friends and family members, together with kind-hearted Packet readers, have been fundraising to cover the cost of the aftercare treatment, through the Packet’s Footprints campaign.

As a result Jo believes that the fundraising is nearing its target – helped in no small way by a series of events held in the community during the run up to Christmas.

This year Helston Rotary Club gave the proceeds of its annual carol concert, together with a meal held beforehand, to Josh, raising an estimated £1,500.

Degibna Prayer Chapel gave the £180 collection from its candlelit carol service to the campaign, while Trinity Church at Porkellis collected £100, the CuldRoses military wives’ choir raised almost £130 and St Michael’s Primary School also supported the cause.

Jo said: “We can’t thank everyone enough for their support. It will make a large difference to Josh and the operation, being able to have the physiotherapy required.

“Thank you also for their kind words and support. People are just coming up to us in the street wishing us well.”

A fundraising bank account has been set up in Josh’s name, called the Josh Mills Fundraising Account, which donations can be paid into. The account number is 54918421 and the sort code is 53-50-37.

See all the news about the Packet Help Josh to Walk Campaign below

St Michael's pupils funky fundraising for Help Josh To Walk campaign

Getting into the groove to support Helston schoolboy

Helston schoolboy's campaign delight