LITTLE superstar Jacob Buckett has come on leaps and bounds since undergoing life changing surgery to help him walk.

Jacob, four, from Canford Heath, suffers from cerebral palsy and as a result he struggled to walk and move around unaided.

He was told by doctors that he needed a selective dorsal rhizotomy (sdr) by his fifth birthday in October or he would risk being wheelchair bound for life.

It was agreed that the surgery would go ahead at the end of June, and since then Jacob has made huge progress from someone who six weeks ago couldn't move his own body.

Jacob’s operation, which could restore the function in his legs by as much as 75 per cent, was not available on the NHS.

A fundraising campaign was launched last year to raise the £36,000 needed for the operation and physiotherapy. So far £25,000 has been raised which is enough to cover the cost of the operation.

Incredibly nearly £30,000 has been raised and the family are just £6,000 away from being able to pay for Jacob's much needed physiotherapy.

Jacob's mum Amanda said: "It's incredible how many people have got involved and offered to raise money.

"We can't believe it and we want to thank everyone so much for helping Jacob achieve his dream to walk."

One person who is hoping to help Jacob reach his fundraising target is Ged McFadden.

Ged, who works as the manager of Tesco in Moordown, is trying to run 1,000 miles in one year for Jacob. He hopes to complete the last 26miles at the Bournemouth Marathon in October.

"I couldn't imagine not being able to run these days let alone walk, so I am hoping that my efforts will help in some towards keeping Jacob from being confined to a wheelchair," added Ged.

To donate go to justgiving.com/the-dcf-appeal-jacob or to justgiving.com/fundraising/g-mcfadden1.