An eight-year-old boy is trying to raise the money for an operation that will help him walk for the first time.

Joshua Freeman, who lives on the Monmouthshire border, has Cerebral Palsy which affects all four limbs, legs more than arms.

He attends Walford Primary School and has physiotherapy and hydrotherapy sessions on a regular basis. He is unable to move into and out of positions without assistance.

Josh is able to hand propel himself in his wheelchair , he also enjoys riding his tricycle. Otherwise he is totally dependent on his parents and carers at school for his activities for daily living. Every little effort increases the spasticity (muscle tightness).

In contrast to his physical difficulties, he is a very bright boy.

A couple of weeks ago Joshua's family found out he had been accepted for life changing surgery at St Louis Children's hospital in the United States.

The specialist procedure is called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR). This is a highly advanced form of surgery that involves cutting of some of the sensory nerve fibers that come from the muscles and enter the spinal cord.

By eliminating the 'bad' movement signals coming from the brain, this procedure permanently eliminates / significantly reduces spasticity (tightness) in the muscles impacted, which results in huge benefits to the individual.

The doctor who accepted Joshua's case said he feels this procedure would allow Josh to be able to walk with a frame and progress to walking with crutches.

The SDR procedure, including flights, accommodation for four weeks, the procedure itself, post-operative physiotherapy costs around £40,000.

Help make Joshua's dream come true by making a donation to his fund at http://www.justgiving.com/JoshuasWishtoWalk">www.justgiving.com/JoshuasWishtoWalk