Following an incredible fundraising effort, a Norfolk boy who was told he might never walk has made his way onto his own two feet.

Logan Gostling, from Mattishall, near Dereham, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 18 months and his family and friends spent a year trying to raise £60,000 for selective dorsal rhizotomy surgery, with hopes it would allow him to walk unaided.

Thanks to the efforts of the local community, £55,000 was raised and he was able to undergo the procedure in February 2022 at the Alder Hay Children’s Hospital and is now going through physio and hydrotherapy with the money raised.

Dereham Times: Logan Gostling, from Mattishall, near DerehamLogan Gostling, from Mattishall, near Dereham (Image: Sheri Smith)

Logan’s nanny, Sheri Smith, said: “He is just amazing, and we are so proud of him.

“We have dreamed of making Logan’s life pain-free, and drug-free to give him the greatest opportunity to walk, run and all the other things that all boys dream of doing.

“Logan now attends a wonderful physio gym that specialises in people with disabilities called ABLE2B. He attends once or twice a week with physios, and he loves them all.

Dereham Times: Logan Gostling attends the physio gym ABLE2B, which specialises in people with disabilities, once or twice a weekLogan Gostling attends the physio gym ABLE2B, which specialises in people with disabilities, once or twice a week (Image: Sheri Smith)“They have done such magnificent work with Logan. He is now standing and is taking a few steps with support.

“From the little boy that the hospital told us would most probably never be able to walk, to a confident six-year-old that is on the move, be it slowly, to achieving his dream of walking and being independent.

“This has been made possible by the many fundraising efforts and we want to thank you all.”

Dereham Times: Logan Gostling attends the physio gym ABLE2B, which specialises in people with disabilities, once or twice a weekLogan Gostling attends the physio gym ABLE2B, which specialises in people with disabilities, once or twice a week (Image: Sheri Smith)Along with the medical conditions he lives with, Logan goes to Mattishall Primary School, which the family described as “incredibly supportive.”

The family have been told another operation to lengthen Logan’s hamstring muscles in both his legs could benefit him. They hope this can be done with the NHS, but this has not been confirmed.