Challenges wanted to help Alycia’s campaign (From This Is Wiltshire)

THE parents of cerebral palsy sufferer Alycia Ellis are asking members of the public for help in raising vital funds to help their daughter walk independently.

The six-year-old, of Abbey Meads , was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was nine months old.

But despite attending mainstream Robert Le Kyng School, Alycia cannot stand unaided without a walker and gets around by using a wheelchair.

She needs an operation called selective dorsal rhizotomy, a complex neurosurgical technique used to treat spasticity in the lower limbs. But it is not routinely available on the NHS and she has been turned down, so her family are trying to raise £50,000 so she can have the operation in America.

Her mum Natasha, 27, who is in the RAF, and dad Chris, 33, an undertaker, have already taken part in a number of fundraising activities with more in the pipeline. But now they are asking the public to challenge them to any event which they will undertake to help raise money for their daughter.

Natasha said: “Alycia’s father is due to take part in the Swindon Half Marathon next month and we are also due to hold the biggest cake sale Swindon has ever had.

“We wondered if the public would want to challenge us to any event and myself or Christopher would then take that challenge up.

“Fundraising has been slow for a while but we have got a lot of RAF colleagues involved and doing various events to help raise money.

“We did contact the Guinness World Records to ask how we would go about doing a world record of the biggest zumba class.

“I know it sounds crazy but I think it will be achievable, and I hope that we can get enough backing behind us to achieve it, not only for Alycia but for Swindon to get some publicity also.

“Of course with this type of event comes the unfortunate element of money, so we are working with an events company to see what is possible.”

The family are also desperate to fulfil Alycia’s dreams of having her own bicycle, something she has never had before, but it is proving expensive.

Natasha said: “A bike is something Alycia has never had and so desperately wants. “It would have to be one that was specifically made for her condition, and it will cost in the region of £600 to £1,000 so it’s not cheap. But we will do our best to fulfil her wish this year.”

To help the family with their fundraising, call Natasha on 07825828265 and to donate visit www.alyciaamerican dream.com.