A LEADING housebuilder has donated £1,000 to an appeal to help a four-year-old Keighley boy walk.

Ryan Weatherall, who has cerebral palsy, has been named a Community Champion by Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire.

This has entitled Ryan, of Riddlesden, to £1,000 towards the cost of a complex operation to help him walk.

Ryan’s cerebral palsy affects his legs and makes his muscles permanently tight, making walking very difficult and running impossible.

The operation – selective dorsal rhizotomy – can be performed at Leeds Children’s Hospital but without NHS funding will cost the family £40,000.

Ryan’s mother Carla Weatherall said: “So far we have raised £14,000 towards Ryan’s operation, which, along with physiotherapy, will allow him to walk without pain.

“We are thrilled to be receiving this generous donation from Persimmon Homes which takes us one step closer to our fundraising target.

“We hope that Ryan will be able to have the operation this coming July prior to starting full-time school in September. This donation from Persimmon has helped us immensely.”

Simon Whalley, sales and marketing director at Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire, said the company was delighted to be able to hand over the money to Ryan.

He said: “The family has worked so hard in raising money through bucket collections, raffles, a school nativity and more.”

Visit ryanswishtowalk.com to find out how to support the appeal.

To apply for Community Champions funding, visit persimmonhomes.com/charity.