By Gillian Ellison

Published at 11:12, Thursday, 17 May 2012

A YOUNG boy’s fight to be able to walk unaided looks set to become a reality after undergoing two successful operations in America.

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Little Leon Harrison and his family, with the help of the community, raised a massive £40,000 to pay for his life-changing surgery in Missouri.

And now they have received a further £10,000 thanks to local pigeon fanciers.

At the age of 18 months Leon – whose father Carl Wilkinson is from Sandwith – was diagnosed with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy. Following a routine brain scan it was established that Leon had a brain condition called Dandy Walker Syndrome. This involves an area at the back of the brain that controls movement, balance, speech and muscle control.

Leon’s condition is the root cause of his cerebral palsy and his inability to control both balance and muscle tone.

Now, aged four, Leon has been able to have the operations and it is hoped he will be able to walk unaided within six months.

Carl and his partner, Danielle Harrison, live in Manchester but Di Smitham, Carl’s mum, still lives at Sandwith.

She said: “The campaign has been absolutely tremendous, I am absolutely overwhelmed by the support for Give Leon Hope.

“The operation was a miracle, he is walking on the treadmill now.”

The thousands raised recently at a charity pigeon auction, at the Falcon Club, Egremont, has been used to buy specialist equipment for Leon, including a treadmill, special bike and leg press.

And the remainder will help the family go back out to America next year for a follow-up appointment as well as help to pay for private physiotherapy so he can get as much as he needs.

“The charity pigeon auction was brilliant, all the pigeon fanciers donated a bird and people came from all over to buy them,” said Di.

Auction organiser Danny Rodgers, of the Cleator Moor Club, said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure and a privilege to be able to do our bit to help this exceptionally brave wee lad. I was absolutely delighted by the attendance on the day, the pigeon fanciers really turned out in force in aid of this magnificent cause.”

Leon and his family want to thank everyone for their continued support.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk