AN appeal to help a three-year-old Carlton Colville boy walk unaided for the first time has reached a major milestone – and hopes are high that another could be achieved next week.

After another successful weekend of fund-raising, more than �20,000 has now been collected by the Owen's Wish2Walk campaign, which was set up to enable Owen Baldry to travel to America for life-changing surgery.

Owen's parents, Carl and Sacha Baldry, of Dorley Dale, are aiming to raise �50,000 to send him to a hospital in St Louis to undergo an operation that is not available to him on the NHS. They hope it will allow Owen – who has spastic diplegic cerebral palsy – to realise his dream of walking, running around and playing with his friends.

Mr and Mrs Baldry said they were thrilled by the progress of the fund-raising drive.

'We are now well clear of the �20,000 mark,' Mr Baldry told The Journal this week. 'We could hit the half-way, �25,000, mark next weekend if money comes in that is promised and the events go well.'

Last Friday and Saturday, family and friends were involved in bag-packing at Morrison's in south Lowestoft.

Mr Baldry said: 'It was very successful as over the two days we raised over �1,700. We would like to thank everyone who helped over the two days, everyone who donated, and also Morrison's for allowing us to use the store – particular thanks go to Joan Dowson from Morrison's for organising this.'

The family said the donations had continued to pour in with 'something every day' arriving for the appeal.

'There so many people and groups that we have never heard of,' Mr Baldry added.

Today, appeal supporters will be collecting outside the main Tesco store at Gunton, and tomorrow a family fun night has been organised at the Alderman pub in Hollingsworth Road from 6pm, where the entertainment will include children's fancy dress, games, prize bingo, a raffle, sponsored waxing and beard dying and a karaoke.

'A lot of effort has gone into this from the staff there so it will be a good night,' Mr Baldry said.

To help the Wish2Walk Appeal by organising an event, volunteering at an event, or to find out how to make a donation, contact Mr Baldry on 07916 859358. To donate online, visit www.justgiving.com/owenswish2walk