SKYE Cowan is less than £10,000 away from surgery that will change her life forever.

Kind-hearted Daily Echo readers have donated in their droves to ensure the six-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, can go to America for an operation in October.

Her desperate family have been given a deadline of August 28 to secure all the money needed ahead of the treatment, which totals around £41,000, not including any of her post-operative care.

After appealing for help, almost £20,000 has been raised in little more than a week.

The Parkstone youngster’s dad Steve said: “It is just the most overwhelming thing.

“We have had so many ups and downs, but the one constant is how kind and generous people have been.

“Total strangers have been kind enough to write a cheque or go online and donate to make sure my daughter can have this operation. It is astounding and moving.”

On Wednesday, it was revealed that the family needs to raise £27,000 by the deadline to ensure Skye could have the surgery.

But thanks to Barclay’s employee Graham Duff, the bank has agreed to match-fund £6,000 to the total.

The Children’s Foundation has also raised £3,000, while fundraisers of local charity the BC Club have donated £500, and hotel group FJB has collected almost £4,000 towards the total.

And all the while, generous readers have pledged their own cash to support Skye.

Steve said: “I just want to say thank you to everyone who has done so much for us.

“The kindness that people have shown to us has been incredible.

“There are no words for the compassion and thoughtfulness of those who have donated.”

Anyone wishing to donate can text SKYE52£1 to 70070 to give £1 to the appeal.

Cheques can also be sent to the Daily Echo offices in Richmond Hill, Bournemouth, made out to ‘Help fund Skye’.