A FATHER has spoken of his joy after his daughter underwent a potentially life-changing operation to help achieve her dream of walking.

Little Leonie Hadley-Wilkinson, six, has cerebral palsy and a huge fundraising campaign began last year to help fund a selective dorsal rhizotomy operation.

Campaign gets underway to help fund surgery for Leonie Hadley-Wilkinson, five, who has cerebral palsy

The aim of the procedure is to reduce tight and stiff muscle tone, improve function and mobility, increase independence as well as increase the range of motion and improve positioning.

Leonie didn't have the easiest start in life.

Born ten weeks early, she spent more than three months in hospital. After she left hospital, her parents raised concerns about her development but were told it was because of her prematurity.

When her first year check-up came around, they raised concerns again and when a hip X-ray came back clear, the next step was an MRI scan under general anaesthetic.

It turned out to be a traumatic experience for Leonie, as she stopped breathing twice and had to be revived. The scan revealed Leonie had cerebral palsy and a further blow came one year later, when she was diagnosed with curvature of the spine.

The tot underwent the selective dorsal rhizotomy on February 8 at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham, and her dad, Jason Wilkinson, of Bolton Woods, has highlighted the difference it has already made.

Mr Wilkinson, 47, said he was "shocked" at how the operation had an instant result, particularly as he watched her play the day after.

"When I took her to the play room, it was amazing," he said.

"They told us prior to the operation she would be loose, but we did not think it would be so immediate, it was like 'wow'."

Mr Wilkinson, a support worker, said Leonie, who lives with her mum in Lincolnshire, was able to put her arms up over her head after the operation in a "beautiful" moment.

He added: "She's amazing, she just goes with the flow. Nothing phases her, she's a little star."

The focus will now be on building up Leonie's muscle and core strength.While enough money was raised for her to have the operation, the family still need to raise more funds for physiotherapy and equipment.