More than £50,000 is still needed to change a little girl’s life.

Parents Kerry Smith and Sam Leadsham need to find the cash to fund an operation and aftercare which will help their daughter Lily, who has cerebral palsy, use her legs.

The four-year-old, from Finch Court, Ringlestone, was selected for a special procedure, selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR), at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London.

The procedure involves a spinal cord operation that could eliminate the problems with her legs and one day enable her to walk without pain or difficulty.

But Lily missed out on NHS-funded trials, and the family will have to foot the bill for the £27,000 operation and £30,000 of aftercare. Now they have launched an online fundraising page.

So far the Lily’s Little Legs campaign has raised £6,500 and it is hoped a number of events, including a super hero themed children’s party and a family quiz night – the details of which can be found on the Lily’s Little Legs Facebook group – will propel the family towards their goal.

Kerry said: “We’ve got a lot coming up and would love to raise the money for the operation as soon as possible. We know a boy who had physiotherapy with Lily and is about a year older and has just gone through the procedure.

“The operation went well for him and his family raised all the money themselves so we’re optimistic.”

The next fundraiser is a casino night and dinner at Bearsted Road’s Hilton Hotel on Friday, October 7, from 7pm until 1am.

It includes a three course meal and entertainment from rat pack singer Joe Swing and close up magician Ken Francis as well as casino games. Tickets are £55.