A brave Perthshire schoolboy is to undergo further surgery to help him achieve his dream of skiing.
Jack McNaughton has already travelled once to the St Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri to have advanced surgery, known as selective dorsal rhizotomy, to treat the symptoms of his cerebral palsy.
Now the six-year-old’s parents are trying to raise a further £25,000 for an operation to lengthen the muscles in his feet which could allow him to walk unaided for the first time.
If they are unsuccessful Jack faces having to undergo bone reconstruction surgery, a far more invasive procedure.
So far the fund for the latest operation stands at £5,000 but mum Stacy said she hoped Jack, from Almondbank, would be able to travel to America during the summer to minimise disruption to his schooling.
She said: “After almost three years of hard work, vigorous training, multiple therapies and treatment centres we can really see this as being an option for Jack, and he is so close recently he stood unaided for seven seconds.
“Dr Dobbs, an orthopaedic surgeon, said that Jack’s heel cords are definitely tight, which has contributed to his flatfoot appearance.
“The minimally invasive approach to tendon lengthening surgery would help his range of motion and help prevent further flattening of his feet and rolling of his ankles.
“It’s quite a significant opportunity for him it’s just his feet which are keeping him back.
“It will stop his foot from rolling inwards, give him better balance, improve his walking pattern and increase his strength.
“This would ultimately remove the barrier which is holding Jack back from him achieving his dream of skiing on his feet and running around the playground with his friends,” she added.
A number of fundraising events are already planned, including bungee jumps, skydives and race nights.
Stacy added: “With the public’s amazing generosity Jack got his legs fixed. Now we hope that, once again, they help us complete his puzzle and help him to get his feet fixed.”
To help support Jack, donations can be made by texting JMCN55 and an amount to 70070, or by visiting www.justgiving.com/jack-mcnaughton.