A FIGHTING fund for a boy who needs a costly operation has been boosted by staff and customers at Banbury's Woolworth store.

Connor Rose, eight, suffers from cerebral palsy and is in urgent need of an operation to inject muscle relaxant into his spine.

Without it, Connor will lose all movement and years of physiotherapy, will have been wasted.

The operation, to insert a pump into Connor's body to feed the relaxant to nerve endings in his spine, will cost £12,000.

The NHS waiting list for the operation is four years, but Connor's mother, Nicola, said: "We haven't got four years. We have just a few months before Connor loses all movement."

Woolworth's staff heard of Connor's plight and began fundraising through the company's 'Kids First' campaign.

They organised quizzes, asked for donations from entrants, and placed 'Kids First' collecting boxes at their tills.

Store manager Ian Scott and 'Kids First' co-ordinator Lisa Ingleston have presented Connor with a cheque for £1,000 - and there could be more to come.

Mr Scott said: "We are still collecting. Connor's need has captured people's hearts and we are pleased to be able to donate this £1,000 to his fund."

Mrs Rose said: "This is absolutely fantastic. Words cannot express how grateful we are. This sum takes the fund to £10,000.

"Connor needs an operation before having the pump fitted. His hips have become dislocated and they have to be rebuilt."

She added: "Connor receives physiotherapy to give him some movement, and at the moment he can do some things himself, such as operate his wheelchair - which gives him some independence.

"But as we go on, the physiotherapy has less effect, and without the relaxant, he will become unable to move."

The family live on Banbury's Hardwick Estate, where friends and neighbours have all rallied around.

Mrs Rose said: "Connor spends 95 per cent of his life in his wheelchair, so this operation will mean so much to his future."