A FOUR-YEAR-OLD boy with cerebral palsy is able to walk unaided for the first time following life changing surgery worth £44,000.

In March, News Shopper reported how Mikki Alli of Bexley Lane, Sidcup, found it difficult to balance without support from a walker or a stick.

But following a huge fundraising effort and two operations at St Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri last month, Mikki can now put his feet flat on the ground and walk on his own.

However, he will need intensive physiotherapy for the next year to strengthen his muscles and help his balance.

Mikki’s mother, Yana, says the operation has made a huge difference to her son’s life.

The 27-year-old said: “He’s still a bit wobbly but every day he gets better.

“Before, he could walk a small distance but his foot twisted and he would have to walk on his toes.

“But now it’s different.

He calls me and says ‘Look at what my legs can do.’ “He is very pleased with himself.

“If you see him smile when he’s walking, it’s unbelievable.”

The operation has also improved family life as it gives them freedom to go to new places without having to check for disabled access.

Yana, who also has a six-year-old daughter, Maria, said: “It’s made such a difference to us.

“My husband and I used to check on the internet before we went anywhere.

“We looked at how many steps places had or if there was a lift.”

The operation, called selective dorsal rhyzotomy, is not widely available on the NHS and forces families to raise large sums of money to take their children to America.

In the operation, the nerves are cut at the base of the spine, which helps improve balance, standing and walking.

Mikki's family say thank you

MIKKI’S family say they relied on the generosity of the community to pull together the £44,000 needed for the operation.

Friends and family donated £33,000 and Yana raised money by selling “Mikki bracelets”.

The bracelets, made in different colours and adorned with beads, were sold to the public and raised around £7,000.

The family also received invaluable support from Mikki’s school, Royal Park Primary School in Riverdale Road, Albany Park.

It raised around £4,000 by holding a variety of fundraising events, including a “wheel day” where youngsters were sponsored to cycle around the school grounds on their bikes and scooters.

It also held a Mikki Blue Day when all the children paid to come to school dressed in something blue.

Headteacher Joanne Taylor said: “Everybody in the school pulled together for this.”

Yana says she is extremely grateful for everybody’s support.