FOUR-YEAR-OLD Elliott Angell heads to Bristol next month for surgeons to assess whether he is suitable for life-changing surgery to reduce the symptoms of cerebral palsy.

The youngster, who has just started school, suffers from spastic diplegic cerebral palsy after his brain was starved of oxygen at birth.

It has left him unable to walk, but the procedure – called selective dorsal rhizotomy known as SDR – can reduce the spasticity and ease pain.

However, the surgery is not available on the NHS and could cost £75,000 for the specialist operation and subsequent rehabilitation.

Elliott’s family has launched an online campaign to raise the money.

Dad Dean explained: ‘In November we are going to Bristol where Elliott will be assessed for the operation.

‘He has to meet certain criteria to be a candidate but we are fairly confident he will be accepted.

‘Funding was stopped on the NHS two years ago.

‘Half the money is for the surgery and the rest will be needed for intensive physiotherapy afterwards for an hour every day.

‘The surgery will firstly reduce the spasticity in his legs and secondly he will be pain-free.

‘There is a good chance he will be able to walk and he will never be able to as it stands without the operation.’

Five months ago, he underwent major surgery in which his hips were broken and then pinned.

He spent weeks in hospital in a body cast from his stomach to his toes.

If he is accepted for the SDR procedure, it will be about a year before he is ready so the family have some time to raise the cash.

Dean added: ‘He’s always happy, never lets anything get him down and he is very determined to do everything.

‘He has a completely supported frame so he can get around a bit.

‘But with this surgery, there is a good chance he will walk.

‘Unfortunately this operation is available but people are forced to do what we are doing to raise money to get it.’

The family know four other children from Bristol and Exeter who have had the surgery and all are now walking, one girl was standing within three weeks.

Meanwhile the fundraising continues.

The first big event is a disco and live music evening at The Rec in Newton Abbot on Saturday, November 18 with a buffet, raffle and auction.

Tickets are £5 for adults and £2 for children.

Further donations have come from Elizabeth Madeline who raised £65 from a 20-mile hike.

And Patrick Forster, who is doing a five-mile sea swim from Anstey’s Cove in Torquay to Shaldon, has already raised £545.

Social media is also helping to highlight Elliott’s appeal which is called Finding Elliott’s Feet.

Elliott was born prematurely at 31 weeks in 2013 and he and twin sister Elise  spent five weeks in intensive care.

At around nine months old, his parents noticed he was not hitting any milestones. 

A few months later their worst fears were confirmed when medics diagnosed cerebral palsy.

To help Elliott’s appeal, go to to donate or text FIND56 £5 to 70070.