A BEXLEY family is aiming to raise £50,000 to fund their ‘American Dream’ which would see the life of their 12-year-old son change forever.

Charlie Randell, of Joyden's Wood Road in Joyden's Wood was born 10 weeks premature and suffers from cerebral palsy.

The Leigh Technology Academy pupil dreams of being able to walk freely and play football with friends at school without a walking frame.

A single operation could completely change the lives of Charlie and his family but unavailable in this country, Charlie must travel across the Atlantic.

Charlie’s mother Mandie, 49, said: “The operation would make a lot of simple things we do every day easier for Charlie.

“At the minute, he can dress his top half but not his bottom half.

“He would be able to put his trousers and shoes on.

“He could possibly walk independently but regardless, it would certainly improve his mobility.”

The operation, known as a Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy, involves severing nerves in the spinal cord to loosen muscles and allow movement.

Charlie contracted bronchiolitis shortly after birth and his cerebral palsy developed as a result of this.

He uses a walking frame and wheelchair to get around today.

Mrs Randell added: “We have raised more than £15,000 so far and are hoping to go to America in February.

“If we don’t raise enough we will have to borrow money to get him there - we are just trying to raise as much as we can.”

The family organised a charity fun run at Bexley Cricket Club in Manor Way on Saturday (January 7), which raised a further £2,100 for the fund.

Also in the pipeline are a race night, a school disco and a competition to win an Apple iPad.

Visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/CharlieRandell to sponsor Charlie.