A FUNDRAISER has collected more than £18,000 to pay for pioneering treatment which will enable a paralysed youngster to walk again.

Shea French-Gibbens, seven, was born with cerebral palsy and has been quadriplegic from birth.

Pioneering therapy in Poland, using the Russian Adeli spacesuit, could help Shea, of Elibank Road, Eltham, to lead an independent life.

The event, held on February 24 at the John Roan Football Club in Kidbrooke, saw items including signed football merchandise, rounds of golf and flights to France auctioned and raffled.

Shea's uncle, John Gibbens, of Chipperfield Road, St Paul's Cray, also raised £3,000 with a skydive.

Shea's aunt, Sue Gibbens, who helped organise the event, said: "It was fantastic. We were amazed at people's generosity.

"It was a brilliant evening. We just didn't want to go home."

The money raised will pay for two more visits to Poland for Shea, who is due to return for treatment in the next month.