A Monmouth girl is getting ready to undergo a life-changing operation after the £40,000 needed to fund it was raised in just nine months.

A date for Chase Vaughan's procedure has also been set, with the youngster looking forward to "skipping, jumping, running and not falling over".

Chase was born 15 weeks premature and weighed only 1lb 8ozs. She suffered brain damage and was diagnosed with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, affecting her balance and co-ordination.

The six-year-old undergoes a series of rigourous stretches every day, has to wear leg splints and faced the prospect of needing a wheelchair in the future.

In August last year, Chase was offered a glimmer of hope in the form of a new procedure called selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR), which pinpoints the nerves in the spine that cause spasticity in the legs.

Pioneered in the US, it was being offered at Bristol's Frenchay Hospital and Chase was told she was a suitable candidate.

The only problem was that the operation and rehabilitation from it would cost £40,000.

With the NHS in Wales not providing funds, it was left to mum Helen Morgan to raise the cash.

With the help of family and friends, and support from the Tree of Hope Children's Charity, she set about fundraising.

Chase's story was featured in the Beacon and it wasn't long before the whole town was backing the 'Big Wish for Chase' campaign.

Within days, a number of sponsored walks and runs had been organised, while community groups in Monmouth were planning their own fundraising events.

Rockfield Community Centre, Monmouth Lions, Monmouth Rotary Club and slimming clubs were just a few of the groups to name Chase as one of their chosen charities while Monmouth's rugby and football clubs and the Raglan darts league also backed the campaign.

A tractor run raised further cash while firefighters from Monmouth station staged an epic 24-hour climb in aid of the cause.

The fundraising continued into the new year with head shaves, pool marathons and pet shop fun days among the events that took place.

A full list of groups and businesses that have supported Chase can be found at http://www.abigwishforchase.com">www.abigwishforchase.com

Probably the last event is a paranormal investigation at the Shire Hall on Saturday 25th May from 7pm to 2.30am with Ghost Watchers Inc.

Tickets are £35 and space is limited, call 01600 712856 or email [email protected]">[email protected] to book a place.

The £40,000 target was met last week with the date for the operation being set for 17th June.

Helen said: "The timing is perfect, the day after the hospital gave us a date for the operation, we hit the target. It will give us time to get her ready for the operation.

"It is absolutely amazing to have reached the target, I am so overwhelmed by all the kindness and generousity and would like to thank everyone who has donated and supported the fundraising."

Chase, when asked how she felt, said: "I am very happy, it means I can go skipping, jumping running and not falling over."