A FIVE-YEAR-OLD boy suffering from cerebral palsy needs £40,000 to support his medical costs after undergoing a life-changing operation next month.

Alex Burgess, from Sale Moor, was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy Spastic Diplegia at the age of three, causing pain, muscle stiffness and reduced mobility which has led to Alex being unable to walk the 427ft walk to school.

Alex's mother, Kirsten Burgess, 34, explained: "He struggles on a daily basis to walk on any uneven surface and regularly trips and falls due to problems with his balance and co-ordination and the way he stands."

After several years of researching possible treatment options, Mrs Burgess came across a potentially life-changing neurosurgery called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR).

The surgery will remove the Spasticity from Alex's body which causes his muscle tightness, pain, spasms and resistance in his legs when he walks.

Mrs Burgess said: "To ensure the surgery is a success and to get the most benefit from it Alex will need to do a mixture of daily physiotherapy, strength exercises, personal training, hydrotherapy amongst other therapies."

Mrs Burgess explained that the NHS provided "a very limited amount of aftercare post-surgery; 47 hours of physiotherapy provided by community physiotherapists."

It is hoped that after the surgery that Alex will be able to maintain his independence and strength and not lose any of his current abilities.

"So to me it is a no-brainer to provide him with this surgery and the essential level of aftercare that he needs."

The Burgess family started their Just Giving page as part of a campaign with Just4Children, who provide support for families to help their children with disabilities and sickness.

Mrs Burgess said: "It is only by fundraising and the kind donations that we are hopeful to receive that we will be able to provide [the physiotherapy].

"Alex will always need to do regular physio for the rest of his life. But the two years following on from the surgery are the two most critical."

Alex is well-aware of his cerebral palsy and will tell his friends what this means when asked.

Mrs Burgess said: "Like any Mum and Dad, we want Alex to have the best quality of life possible.

"He's only five and he has experienced so much at a young age.

“We are just hopeful that we are able to provide the therapy and equipment he will need to make him stronger again and to ensure the operation is a success.”

Donations can be made on their Just Giving Page at https://justgiving.com/campaign/helpalextosoar or by texting HELPALEXTOSOAR 5 to 70085 which will donate £5 or HELPALEXTOSOAR 10 which will donate £10.