STAFF at a retailer in Huntingdon are planning a fundraising next month that could help a four-year-old boy take his first unaided steps.

STAFF at a retailer in Huntingdon are planning a fundraising next month that could help a four-year-old boy take his first unaided steps.

Workers at Argos at Stukeley Road Retail Park have arranged the fundraiser after hearing of a mother who is raising money to help her child walk.

Leo Waites, pictured, was diagnosed with dyplegic cerebral palsy at just 14 months old. His condition has left him unable to walk unaided and instead he is confined to a wheelchair or needs to use a walker to get around.

To help strengthen his legs Leo has Botox injections every six to nine months to give him more flexibility, but there is an alternative.

His mother, Amanda Holland who works as a cleaner at St John’s Business Park in Huntingdon, has launched a campaign to raise �45,000 to pay for Leo’s treatment.

She has booked Leo to have an operation at St Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri, USA, that she says will get him up and walking.

The operation, known as selective dorsal rhizotomy, is not available on the NHS.

Miss Holland, 23, of Hempsted Road, Hampton, Peterborough, said: “If Leo has this operation it will mean for the first time in his life that he will be able to do the most basic things like going to the toilet alone.

“I really need to raise this money before the middle of October as Leo has a date for his operation - November 16 this year. I really do not know what will happen if we do not get the money.”

So far Miss Holland, who has family in Kent Road, Huntingdon, has raised �8,000 from car boot sales and donations from businesses, family and friends.

“Leo is a normal boy apart from his limited mobility. But, now he is getting older, he has started to realise that he is different from other children. He often asks me why he cannot walk like everyone else or play football with his friends.

“He longs to be able to walk and I want to offer him that chance.”

She added: “Any donation, big or small, will be very much appreciated. It breaks my heart when I watch Leo cry because he can’t catch up with all the other children, or when he is cutting his knees crawling to keep up.”

The Argos fundraising is due to take place on August 8.

INFORMATION: To find out more, or to make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/helpleo2walk