A GRANDMA from Urmston is urging readers to hold fundraising events for her three-year-old grandson who was born with stiff arm and leg muscles down one side, which an operation in America may fix.

Jennifer Sherlock, 66, from Beech Avenue, sees Leo Leyland, the child of her son Stefan and his partner, Tarnia, once a month even though he lives in Hastings.

Tarnia gave birth by Caesarean section at 20 weeks because Leo wasn’t growing in the womb. The 2lb baby was rushed to a special baby unit and was diagnosed with a condition calle hemiplegia.

“It’s like having cerebral palsy on one side only.” said Jennifer. “His muscles on his left side are stiff so he can’t walk, only shuffle. If he’s concentrating on something, his fist becomes clenched.

“When his seven-year-old brother, Jake goes out to play, he cries because he wants to play, too.”

The family is aiming to raise £70,000 for an operation in the USA which they believe can fix his condition. The operation, which can only be done when Leo is five, is called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy, SDR.

After the operation , Leo will have intensive physio for a year in a special unit the family is confident he will eventually learn to walk.

Travelling, hotel expenses and the cost of Dr Parks, the pioneer of the operation, in Missouri, will total £70,000.

The operation is not available for Leo on the NHS.

In Hastings., they have already raised £10,000.

Locally, Urmston Men’s Club has raised £1300 for Leo.

“I would like other people to think of Leo when they hold events,” said Jennifer

* To donate, visit treeofhope.org.uk/leos-story-help-leo-to-walk.