The family of a six-year-old Chester boy whose cerebral palsy has left him unable to walk are on a mission to raise £15,000 for intensive treatment.

Khalid Lafdil, of Melverley Drive, Blacon, was born with four-limb cerebral palsy mainly affecting his legs and, as a result, is unable to walk unaided or say more than just a handful of words.

The Dorin Park School pupil has to wear splints on both feet which are difficult to get on due to the spasticity in both legs, and although he can eat with his fingers and use a fork, he has to be spoon-fed certain foods.

In the past few years, Khalid has had to battle things no child his age should have to endure, including countless hospital trips, intense daily pain, muscle spasms, growth spurts, and frustration due to his lack of speech.

But there is some light on Khalid’s horizon, as next year he is set to have a selective dorsal rhizotomy operation at Alder Hey Children's Hospital which will reduce the spasticity in his legs, and mean he is no longer in pain, giving him the chance of a more independent life.

Afterwards he will require intensive physiotherapy six days a week for a year, and his family are desperate to raise money for a year’s worth of therapy.

Now mum Ally, partner Harry and their family and friends are in the process of arranging dozens of events to raise £15,000 for The Tree of Hope, a charity which provides hope for families of sick children in the UK who need specialist medical surgery.

These include a fun walk, tandem sky dive, a dinner dance and a family fun day.

Mum Ally said: “We are extremely lucky Khalid is able to have the operation on the NHS as the operation is not widely available.

“Khalid's neurosurgeon told us that when he wakes up from the operation he will be pain free so it is vital.

“He’s a very clever boy and gets extremely frustrated at his lack of speech - his understanding is that of a child the same age but what he’s able to express is limited.

“Although he’s classed as non-verbal, in the past year Khalid has started to say a few words and can now say Mummy,” added Ally, also mum to Amina, three.

Just last month, the family were delighted when Khalid won a Cerebra Children's Award in July.

The accolade, for which Khalid won an iPad, recognises the achievements of children with neurological conditions, and Ally said her son more than deserved it.

“Khalid suffers so much pain with his legs which make him very distressed but because he’s spent the past five years working hard he has such fierce determination,” she said.

“He pushes himself every day and he’s such a brave and courageous little boy, always smiling and loved by everyone who knows him.

“We would really love to raise this money to give Khalid the chance of a more independent life.”

So far, �1,107 has been raised after just one week of fundraising. To donate to The Tree of Hope or find out more about the fundraising activities visit

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