The family of a little boy who need to raise £40,000 for a hearing operation have set a target of Xmas to give him the ultimate gift.

Jacob Ryan, 4, was born profoundly deaf in his right ear and severely deaf in his left. He has been back and forth from hospitals his whole life, and in July his family were told they had been denied financial aid for an operation.

Jacob needs a cochlear implant in his right ear, an operation that will cost a tremendous £40,000.

His family quickly turned to fundraising, and have already raised three quarters of their massive target.

At the time of writing, Jacob's fundraiser was on £31,352.

Nicola Chambers, his aunt who organised the Crowdfunding Page, said: "We had a glow walk last weekend and had people from 10 to 77 turn up and walk 10K. We don't have an exact figure but we think that raised about £3,000. It was 10pm so Jacob was tucked up in bed at that point, but he knows all about what is going on.

"He gets so excited when he sees the fundraising t-shirts. He is really cute. He knows why we are doing it, he says it is so he can get new ears."

Jacob needs a special implant that replaces the function of a damaged inner ear to send signals to the brain.

Ms Chambers, of Low Close in Stone, said they have more events planned before Christmas as they head towards their target.

She said: "We didn't start with a target, but we have raised so much so quickly. We think by Christmas it is realistic, we are three quarters of the way there already.

"We recently had a psychic night with Lisa Jane and that was a big success, we will be having another one because so many people enjoyed themselves. Jacob will be at our Christmas bazaar, he's becoming a little local celebrity."

Jacob and his family have all learned sign language, but Nicola said the quicker they can raise the money the sooner Jacob can work on his speaking and listening skills.

Jacob recently started reception and lives with his mother Sarah Ryan in Erith. Neither his mum or dad, or any of his family, are deaf.

Speaking previously to News Shopper, Ms Chambers said her nephew was at an important stage for his development.

To donate to Jacob's page click here and click here to see upcoming events.