Football is Leo’s goal...

Date published: 19 June 2014

ALL little Leo Stott wants is to be able to play football with his mates.

But to help him realise his dream, the two year old’s parents need to raise £45,000 for an operation to transform his life.

Leo, of Shaw Road, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was one.

His mum Cara Oldham (24) said: “Doctors think Leo could have suffered a stroke before he was born.”

Though Leo has undergone lots of physiotherapy, he relies on a walking frame and must wear leg braces.

The spinal operation - not currently available on the NHS - would release the tightness in his muscles and allow him to walk unaided.

Cara said: “He’s a very happy boy but he is starting to realise he is different from other children. He gets frustrated. He wants to do everything by himself and he can’t so he gets upset.

“The operation has some risks, but the boost it will give to his quality of life outweighs the risk. We have met children who have had the operation and the difference it has made to their lives is unbelievable.

“We need to raise £45,000 so we are arranging various events. Within a day of us setting up a Just Giving page, we had raised £1,500.”

Anyone wanting to help Leo can visit www.justgiving.com/leosdreamtowalk