A "LIVELY and cheeky" North Berwick boy could become the third county youngster with cerebral palsy in the last two years to have life-changing surgery to help him walk freely - despite his parents being told that it was unlikely he would be able to do so when he was diagnosed with the condition.

Five-year-old Charlie Kay's parents Mel, 36, and Martin, 40, are undergoing an intensive fundraising campaign to help reach the �60,000 required for Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) at St Louis Children's Hospital, Missouri, next year - the same place county residents Maya McRobbie and Isabel Wallis underwent their operations - and to fund a two-year rehabilitation plan.

Born nine weeks premature, Charlie was diagnosed aged 14 months with diaplegic cerebral palsy, a permanent disorder which affects posture and movement, stiffening the muscles.

Charlie, in P1 at Law Primary School, has been using a variety of instruments to help his movement, including a kaye walker, tripod sticks and, for longer distances, a wheelchair or therapy bike, while he undergoes a daily physio plan which revolves around his day-to-day tasks.

Speaking to the Courier, Mel said: "When Charlie was initially diagnosed we were told that it was unlikely he would ever walk. And obviously it is quite devastating for a parent to be told that.

"We are really dedicated to doing daily therapy. We do his therapy through his movements so everything we do with Charlie is done therapeutically." Charlie does not let his lack of movement affect his willingness to get involved with friends and activities in and out of school, cycling to school every day, swimming regularly and taking a keen interest in drama.

"Like any other five-year-old we're fortunate in the respect that Charlie's disability is mainly a physical one and it's predominantly his legs that the cerebral palsy affects," explained Mel.

"Intelligence wise he is a sociable, lively wee chap, just as naughty and cheeky as any other five-year-old.

"He's very active, he takes part in a lot of different sports. He loves cycling; rain, hail or shine we cycle to school and that's part of our therapy plan. So we are doing a 15-minute cycle there and a 15-minute cycle home again.

"We have always been very keen that if there is a way we can get Charlie to do a sport and adapt it slightly we will find a way for Charlie to take part in it. In sports day they are adapting some of the events for Charlie. He's really keen on his swimming and we are regulars at Muirfield Riding Therapy, who are fantastic." However, Charlie - who turns six next week - is now at the prime age for an operation before the rigidity of his muscles increases, further affecting his movement, with the worst case scenario of being wheelchair-bound in his mid-to-late teens.

He has been accepted to have the operation done by the renowned Dr Park and the family have been in close contact with the parents of Maya and Isabel.

"We've kind of come to a bit of a crossroads," Mel said. "He's a growing boy and, with the type of cerebral palsy Charlie has, he has very tight, rigid muscles in his legs and it makes the control of movement and his speed and dexterity very difficult.

"Charlie's in that ideal window. Our therapists believe it's an optimum time [for the operation].

"We have been so fortunate to see [Maya and Isabel] go through the fundraising, the operation and come out the other end.

"We've seen first-hand the small benefits and the big benefits they've had. It has made us even more determined that it's the right thing for Charlie.

"He's a really bright, happy little boy and if we can do one thing for him to help move him on and keep him being that happy wee boy and be as involved in the school and different activities that's a great thing we can do.

"He's got a very positive outlook on life. If there's something he wants to do he'll do it. It's been good for him to see and he's excited. To be honest, with the operation he is saying: 'Yeah, yeah, yeah that's fine. But we'll be going on a plane!'" The Kays have a number of events on the horizon, having already raised more than �15,000 with help from the community after moving to North Berwick via Essex and Musselburgh.

Mel said: "The community, the school, the community centre, the committee there, there's so many people helping. People have really, really embraced this and kind of taken ownership.

"Everyone has been so positive. It's really made us realise what a great community we live in in North Berwick and the wider East Lothian community.

"We're really humbled by what friends, family, people that don't know us are willing to do." Among the events planned is Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre performing Diving Belle at the community centre tomorrow (Saturday), with a coffee morning next month and a charity event at Dunbar Golf Club in August, while throughout July an online auction is held by Portraits by Mandy Thomson.

To find out more or to donate visit www.treeofhope.org.uk, www.justgiving.com/Charlie-Kay-PowerRanger and www.facebook.com/CharliesChallenge