JUST eight months after being launched, a Free Press-backed appeal to help a Caldicot tot to walk on her own has reached its £40,000 target.

An anonymous donation of £1,000, made by a Gwent reader of our sister paper the South Wales Argus, has meant that the Help Imogen Walk Appeal, launched through the Tree of Hope charity, has raised enough to pay for two–year-old Imogen Ashwell-Lewis to have pioneering surgery that is hoped will help her to walk independently.

The reader contacted the Free Press after reading Imogen’s story and whilst she didn’t want to be named, she said: “From the bottom of my heart I want this little girl to be able to walk on her own and felt compelled to donate the remaining £1,000 to help her.”

Imogen’s mum, Catherine Ashwell-Rice, 37, said she is completely ‘overwhelmed’.

Ms Ashwell-Rice, of Lapwing Avenue, said: “I am totally surprised and overwhelmed that we could raise the money so quickly.”

“I never thought this would be possible. I am over the moon. To raise such an enormous amount of money would never have been possible without the help of the local community."

"I could never thank enough everyone that has helped to ensure Imogen has a better future free from the spasticity in her legs.

I still wonder how we did it. It seemed unachievable, yet we have achieved it.”

“I couldn’t have done it without the coverage the Free Press has given the appeal, everyone, including local businesses, groups and schools, who has been involved and supported us in fundraising, donations and attending all the events.”

“Three ladies who have been involved on the fundraising committee from the start –Vicki Allen, Natalie Brown and Sylvia Mort -have been absolutely amazing.”

“I didn’t know them before I launched the appeal but they are now friends for life.”

Events held over the last seven months include a charity ball, a tractor run, car washes, a chess tournament and family fun days.

Imogen suffers from a debilitating nerve-muscle condition known as spastic diplegia cerebral palsy, which means she is unable to walk unaided and relies on a specially-made wheelchair.

Imogen, who was born 11 weeks early, weighing 3lb 2oz, was diagnosed with the condition at 15-months-old and has daily physiotherapy but her mum hopes a procedure, performed at Bristol Children’s Hospital, called selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR), not available on the NHS, will help avoid further muscle deterioration and stiffness.

The procedure was developed by a surgeon at the St Louis Children’s Hospital, Missouri. It involves removing bone from one vertebrae and making an incision in the spine to divide nerve roots that contribute to the spasticity, giving more balance and enabling the patient to walk.

The operation is due to take place at Bristol Children’s Hospital in January. The £40,000 will cover the cost of the operation and first few months post op physiotherapy, strength training and equipment. Anything raised over the amount with be used towards her long-term rehabilitation which could be around two years.