AN Evesham youngster determined to walk unaided for the first time is on her way to having a life changing operation as the campaign to raise £50,000 to get her there hit a milestone.

Eight-year-old Olivia Hancock has cerebral palsy spastic diplegia, caused by being born premature and suffering brain damage, meaning she needs to use a kaye walker or wheelchair to get about.

She is currently at the centre of Olivia's Dream appeal aiming to raise £50,000 to fund the aftercare package required following the selective dorsal rhizotomy operation with the operation itself being funded by the NHS.

After just a few months the campaign has hit the 10 per cent mark having tipped the fundraising scale at just over £5,000.

Mum Emma Haynes said she was delighted with the support they'd received and the number of events being organised.

"We started the appeal really at the beginning of the year," she said. "People have been raising money for us, Olivia's grandad, who is a postman, raised some money and donated more by wearing his shorts through winter.

"I'm trying to get some people to do a sponsored slim with me at the moment, so far there's six or seven of us. That will be starting in March."

Other events coming up include snail races at Hampton Ferry on April 4 and a Grand Variety Show at Bengeworth Club in Coronation Street on the same evening.

There will also be a Northern Soul and Motown Night on Friday, March 20, at 7.30pm at Evesham Town Hall and an auction run by the Truck Show is ongoing.

JellyPickleJam Vintage Tea Shop in Evesham is also welcoming needlecrafter and author, Sarah Fordham, on Saturday, March 7, from 10am, to host a one-off cross stitch workshop with 10 per cent of proceeds going to the appeal.

Whilst getting crafty, there will also be a working lunch, plus anyone joining in will receive a signed copy of Ms Fordham's successful book X-Stitch.

Lisa Whelan, owner of JellyPickleJam said: "We’re really pleased to support Olivia’s Dream and what’s lovely is that the workshop is suitable for children aged and ten and over, plus adults of course, so it will suit a wide audience and we can all help Olivia reach her goal of walking unaided."

"It's really nice that people are organising things for us because it's a lot of money to raise with one person doing it on their own," added the Evesham Town Councillor.

"It's nice other people are taking the cause on board.

To support the appeal visit justgiving.com/oliviasdream.