A “HUGE” milestone has been passed in a family’s bid to take their 10-year-old daughter to America for life-changing survey.

A provisional date of February 2 has been set for Macy Robertson of Dunbar to undergo spinal surgery in New Jersey.

The Dunbar Primary School pupil was diagnosed with scoliosis – an abnormal twisting and curvature of the spine – aged just six.

Since then, the youngster has had to wear a brace for up to 20 hours a day to stop her condition from becoming worse.

However, her family felt bracing was impacting on her emotional wellbeing and are looking to raise £150,000 for the youngster to undergo Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT), which would see screws attached to the affected vertebrae and allow for continued growth and mobility of the spine.

Macy’s mum Nicky said: “It is a huge step forward but it is still very stressful.

“We need the money to get there.

“The fundraising has been absolutely incredible and we are now at £78,000.

“We have got a number of events planned for January and February. It has just been amazing, with people popping up out of everywhere.”

Plenty of fundraisers are being organised on a local scale, with an orienteering event held near Dirleton on Sunday organised by Vicky Richardson, manager of Fenton Barns Nursery, and delivered through Venturing Out, and a ceilidh at the Strawberry Barn next Friday evening (January 20).

Mrs Robertson, who works as a senior housing strategy officer with East Lothian Council, was overwhelmed by the generosity of those who are helping to raise the six-figure sum.

If all goes to plan, they will travel from Dunbar to New Jersey at the end of the month for the operation and Macy will be in hospital for six weeks before returning home in mid-March.

Nicky added: “After that, she will need X-rays every three months and another trip to the USA after that.

“She was in quite a bit of pain over the Christmas holidays.

“She was on the couch saying: ‘Can I get the operation now?’ “It will change her life and from that point of view she is looking forward to it but she is a bit nervous as well.”

To donate, go to www.gofundme.com/fund-spine-surgery-for-macy