9:45am Wednesday 25th November 2009
AN APPEAL has been launched to raise £40k to send a brave Oldbury boy to the USA for a pioneering operation to help him take his first steps.
Six-year-old Kian Collins, who suffers from cerebral palsy, loves watcing football, but dreams of one day playing his favourite game.
His family want him to have an operation in America because NHS treatment currently carries a risk of paralysis - but doctors in Missouri can use an electrolysis based treatment to isolate the exact spinal nerve that doesn't work.
The procedure costs £40k so friends and family have set up the First Steps Appeal.
More than a third of the cash has already been raised by generous well-wishers including a £10k donation from West Bromwich businessman Chris Kelly.
Kian's mother Melissa Lowe, aged 26, of Oak Road, said Kian had never been able to walk but had already defied medical opinion.
She said: "When Kian was born we were told he would not sit, talk, crawl, walk or be potty trained.
"Now with hard work and determination he has done all these except walk.
"This operation will enable him to have the independence Kian deserves - it will be life-changing."
Kian lives with mum Melissa, step dad Daniel and ten-month old baby sister Skye. The family heard about the operation when GMTV featured a boy who also suffered cerebral palsy had undergone the treatment successfully.
Donations can be deposited into the Kian Collins Trust Fund sort code 20 07 82 account number 80551864 at Barclays Bank.
Anyone with ideas for fundraisers can e mail kiancollins4america@live.co.uk or call Melissa on 07850 156445 or Daniel on 07596 828000.
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