MUM Katie Jacob just wants her four-year-old son Ronnie to stand on his own.

But her family is now in a race against time to raise £60,000 to send the youngster to America for a life-changing operation.

Ronnie, who has cerebral palsy, cannot stand independently and needs a frame to walk.

Special surgery involving removing a vertebrae from the bottom of his spine and taking out damaged nerves would give him the best chance of walking independently.

But the biggest hurdle for his parents Katie, 29, and Andrew, 43, is paying for the £45,000 operation at St Louis Children’s Hospital, Missouri, on May 24.

The family also needs to raise a further £15,000 to pay for intensive daily physiotherapy for up to two years afterwards.

Hairdresser Mrs Jacob, of St Mary’s Road, Adderbury, said: “We really need to have £45,000 to go – we don’t have the money to do that ourselves. Until you are in this situation you can’t imagine it.

“To see Ronnie stand independently, run and walk would be incredible.

“We are very lucky with Ronnie, but when you see him next to an average child he’s going to have to fight for things all his life.

“£60,0000 would make a difference in this little boy’s life and there’s no way I can’t do it when I know there’s a solution.”

Doctors recommend the best time for a child to have the operation is aged two to five – and Ronnie is five in January.

The community has rallied round, organising cake sales, a fashion show, a bike ride, jumble sale and a run, and so far has raised £4,000.

And from March 7, students at Oxford and Cherwell Valley College’s Banbury campus are planning a week-long street collection in the town outside Cafe Nero in High Street.

Mr Jacob has also put his pride and joy Ford Mustang Bumblebee with its Badboy number plate BAD 300Y up for sale.

An operation is available in this country, but the family say the US surgery is more advanced, has less risk of paralysis and a much quicker recovery time.

Queenie Goudie, of the students’ union, said: “It would be fantastic if everyone came and donated jut £1.”

l For more details, see ronnies journey.co.uk or call 07789 658813