A FUNDRAISING campaign to send an eight-year-old boy to America for life-changing surgery has gone past the half way point.

Family and friends of football-mad Theo Bishop are trying to raise £45,000 to send him to America for a procedure known as Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR).

Little Theo was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was just 14 months old after his parents went to doctors when they noticed he was struggling to sit up.

But now the youngster, who cannot walk without a frame, has the chance to have an operation in Missouri that will see him walk unaided for the first time.

However, it will cost £45,000 to send him across the Atlantic for a month and pay for the operation and the physiotherapy, which then follows.

His family say they have been left ‘overwhelmed’ at the ‘kindness of strangers’ who have helped them raise £27,000 since October.

Mandy Bishop, Theo’s mum, said: “The response we have had to Theo’s campaign has been amazing.

“I can’t thank the people of Rossendale enough. Strangers who I have never met have put their hands in their pockets to help send my little boy for the surgery that will change his life.

“So far we have raised £27,000 which is completely overwhelming.

“Theo is also gobsmacked at the kindness of strangers.”

The surgery will enable Theo to put his feet on the floor and make it easier for him to move around.

The family contacted a surgeon after seeing another child recovering from the operation on TV.

Music lover Theo lives with his mum, dad Stuart, sister Jaime-Leigh, 20 and brother Thomas, 14, in Fall Barn Crescent, Rawtenstall and hopes to be able to reach his target by July.

A series of events including a pub crawl, an Elvis tribute night and a fun day will be held in the New Year.