The dreams of a north Suffolk family to send a three year-old boy to America for vital surgery have been realised.

When Carl and Sacha Baldry launched Owen's Wish2Walk appeal on January 20, they never imagined their �50,000 target would be reached in just five months.

The campaign to send three-year-old Owen Baldry for an operation across the pond so he can walk unaided for the first time has touched the whole community, with donations flooding in.

And now, Mr and Mrs Baldry, of Dorley Dale, Carlton Colville, are thanking the people of the Lowestoft area for their amazing kindness and generosity for reaching the �50,000 mark.

Mr Baldry said: 'When we first set the appeal up we were hoping we could raise the money by October –now we could even be able to go out for Owen's operation in September.

'The way Lowestoft has responded has been amazing – people turned up, supported us and made Owen famous.

'I still can't believe it, how it has all gone.'

Mrs Baldry said: 'Our story has been magical and amazing so far, the way Lowestoft has got behind our campaign and supported Owen's appeal has amazed us.'

After being diagnosed with cerebral palsy (spastic diplegia) when he was 22 months old, Owen has had to endure pain and discomfort on a daily basis.

With SDR (Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy) surgery at St Louis Children's Hospital in America to come, and more pain ahead, the family can look forward to a brighter future, with Owen being able to walk within two years.

From starting their campaign with a car boot sale on January 28, for the past 23 weeks a range of events have been held – including bag packing, quiz nights, entertainment nights, Zumba sessions, shows, street sales and football matches.

Mrs Baldry said: 'We would like to thank all the businesses and individuals for their donations of money and gifts for our charity raffles, auctions and much more.

'We would also like to thank everyone who has helped by giving their own time at Owen's events – we have had a lot of helpers and it is difficult to name everyone.'

mark.boggis@archant.co.uk