BRAVE Broadway youngster Molly Grove has returned home, giving her family an early Christmas present after a successful life changing operation in America.

The three-year-old has spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, meaning she has never been able to walk unaided, but after the specialist procedure she has been taking steps using only crutches just weeks after her operation.

Now that she is back from St Louis, Missouri, where she had the operation, her family is hoping her swift recovery will continue.

Richard Grove, Molly’s dad, said she was getting stronger every day and was delighted to be back with her family.

“Me and the two boys [Molly’s brothers Louis, five, and Harry, six] went and picked Molly and her mum up at midday on Monday and by 3pm she was doing physio,”

he said.

“Molly was keen to show the boys and me how she could walk on her sticks.

“Although she was jet lagged she did about 10-15 steps with the sticks and in America she did around 20- 30, she would never have been able to do that before.

That is what she has achieved in four weeks, imagine what she will do in another four weeks. For us to be back as a family, it is like an early Christmas present.”

Molly was only able to have the operation after months of fund-raising and generosity from well-wishers and businesses.

The total raised for Molly’s Mission has now nearly reached £100,000 and Mr Grove said he hopes people will now start donating to other children who suffer with similar conditions as Molly, who also need help.

“If anyone wanted to donate I would ask them to consider giving to a boy who needs some help to fund an operation and another who has been our inspiration.

“I would also encourage anyone who needs advice to get in touch with us. I am happy to talk to them. There’s so many children who will be left in wheelchairs without this operation.”

To contact Richard about supporting children in need of the operation, e-mail rjg0396@gmail.com or call 07779 337001.