THE family of an eight-year-old boy with cerebral palsy are celebrating after achieving their fundraising total to pay for his life changing surgery.

The parents of Samuel Hosker, from Blackburn, were looking to raise £30,000 for surgery not available on the NHS, which would prevent the youngster from being wheelchair bound.

In total they have raised around £44,000 which will go on the operation and giving Samuel the best physiotherapy and after care possible.

Samuel will now have the spinal dorsal rhizotomy surgery on Friday, September 22, at at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.

Mum Michelle Hosker said: “It’s just been absolutely fantastic to have raised so much money.

“Blackburn is quite a small community and to reach the target so quickly is incredible.

“Samuel is obviously a bit apprehensive about the surgery but he’s so pleased with all the donations .

“It’s all for him at the end of the day.

“It means he’s going to be able to keep active and keep his independence.

The surgery will relax muscles in Samuel’s legs enabling him to carry on using his frame.

Without the operation doctors said he would be fully dependent on a wheelchair within two years.

Following the surgery Samuel will have to go through two years of intense physiotherapy.

In total the operation will cost £21,000 and the remaining money will be spent on aftercare and equipment, none of which is provided.

Highlights of the fundraising, which started in March, included a charity boxing night at King George’s Hall last month which raised £15,000 for the fund.

Private donations have also been made and a charity 15,000ft sky dive featuring Samuel’s sister Charlie, also raised £5,000.

Mrs Hosker, 38, said: “We just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has donated and made this possible.

“Especially everyone from Team Samuel, a group of friends and family involved from the start, for their commitment and dedication.

“We couldn’t have done it without them.”

The family are also planning to hold an Elvis Presley themed rockstar party the week before Samuel’s operation.

The event, which is still being arranged, will celebrate reaching the total and mark the St Peters RC Primary School pupils love of Elvis.

A football game at Griffin Park in Blackburn this month also raised around £3,000 and a ladies night held at St Pauls Working Mens Club raised approximately £600.