THE parents of a four-year-old boy with cerebral palsy have raised £60,000 in just five months to pay for a life-changing operation.

Young Ronnie Jacob will jet off to a hospital in St Louis, Missouri, USA, next month for specialist surgery, followed by up to two years of physiotherapy.

At the moment Ronnie, from St Mary’s Road, Adderbury, near Banbury, cannot stand independently and needs a frame to walk.

But 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.

Members of the community rallied round, organising cake sales, a fashion show, a bike ride, jumble sales, runs, parachute jumps and a football match, which raised £7,000 alone. A street collection in Kidlington raised £525.

Dad Andrew sold his pride and joy Ford Mustang Bumblebee to raise another £10,000.

And a charitable trust is donating the final £26,000 needed to reach the target.

Mum Katie, 29, said: “The relief knowing we have got enough to go and get the first stage done is wonderful.

“The pressure it has lifted is fantastic.

“The £60,000 gets us there and the operation, flights, accommodation and insurance. Then we definitely have enough for a few months’ physiotherapy.

“It has all been guesswork up until now, but we know we are sorted for the first bit.”

She added: “We are so grateful to all the people who have clubbed together and made this possible.

“These people have given our little boy a chance to live life to the fullest.

“Nothing is guaranteed, but we will keep our fingers crossed that all our hopes and dreams will be answered and he will be up and walking.”