LITTLE Kody Bowler has proved he has a big heart after raising more than £350 to help his classmate walk.

Kody’s friend Corey Cummings, six, has cerebral palsy and needs an operation called selective dorsal rhizotomy to help him gain the use of his legs.

The operation is available at Frenchay Hospital, in Bristol, but Corey has been refused the treatment on the NHS because it is not seen as cost effective. His family have appealed the decision and are waiting to hear from a team of specialists.

If the operation was carried out privately it would cost approximately £24,000, so Corey’s family have begun fundraising in case their appeal is rejected.

So on Monday, seven-year-old Kody, who attends Lawn Primary School with Corey, carried out his very own sponsored day of silence.

His mum Janine said: “Kody is a right chatterbox but he did lots of practising – he would time himself on the oven timer which helped.

“He reached £350 in online donations by the end of the day .

“He was worried he would forget what his voice sounded like, but he really enjoyed it.

“We’d like to thank everyone who donated.”

As well as Kody’s efforts, scores of people took part in a sponsored fancy dress walk at Coate Water on Sunday with outfits including nuns, school girls, werewolfs and smurfs.

Also at the weekend, 10-year-old Alfie Simpkins and the 19th Swindon Scouts, which Corey is also part of, completed a 22 mile overnight hike of the Ridgeway, raising more than £550 for Corey’s fund.

Alfie’s mum Sarah said: “I cannot begin to explain how absolutely earth shatteringly incredible these kids and adults were. They walked through the night in the most horrific conditions. I am immensely proud of every single one of them.”

This Saturday, Lawn Primary School will hold a Bottles & Choc Tombola Stall at the Big Arts Day at Lydiard Park.

For more information visit www.thecoreycummingsfund.org or like The Corey Cummings Fund on Facebook.