AN adorable young boy from Quedgeley who suffers from cerebral palsy may soon have his dream to walk independently come true.

Five-year-old Archie Crowther has taken his “first few wobbly steps” after undergoing a risky and rare surgery on his spine in the USA last Thursday.

Doctors are hoping the life-changing procedure will soon give him the ability to walk freely without the help of his crutches.

With the loving support of his family, Archie is now undergoing difficult physiotherapy at a specialist children’s hospital to strengthen his muscles.

The toddler flew over to the hospital in Missouri with his mum Charlotte Thornhill and her partner Luke Crowther on June 8.

The very next day surgeons spent hours carefully cutting some of the nerves in Archie's lower spinal column in a pioneering operation called selective dorsal rhizotomy.

The operation - which was not available on the NHS - was paid for after the family raised a phenomenal £70,000 during a year-long Chance to Dance campaign.

The campaign saw people from Stroud run marathons, sing in choirs and take part in 24 hour dances to help pay for the treatment and make the young boy’s dream come true.

Stroud News and Journal:

Mum Charlotte said on social media that Archie was recovering well after the operation and thanked everyone for their support.

“Hours of waiting are over and Archie is now comfortable on the ward. Thank you for all your kind messages we wouldn't be here without every one of you,” she said.

“Words will never be able to describe our emotions so I won't even try. Proud doesn't cover how we felt and Archie couldn't quite believe what he had achieved either.”

She said the family were “absolutely bursting with pride and hope for the future.”

After the surgery Archie spent three days in recovery before beginning his improvement program and rehabilitation.

With the help of specialists at St. Louis Children's Hospital he is now slowly learning to use his leg muscles properly for the first time.

So far Charlotte said he has managed to crawl for the first time and even taken “a few wobbly steps”.

During his time in hospital Archie has received heartfelt messages and cards as well as some drawings from his friends at his pre-school.

The energetic little football fan currently lives in Quedgeley with his Charlotte, Luke and his half-sister Jasmine, 8, who remained at home.

Before the trip Charlotte posted on the social media: “Just under a year ago, with a monstrous and seemingly impossible target of £85,000 we started our fundraising journey to get Archie not only the life changing operation he needed but the aftercare that plays a vital part in his recovery.

“We have, with your help, support, love and donations, managed to raise nearly £70,000.

“Without the support of every single one of you this would not be possible so from me, Luke, Archie and Jasmine we thank you from the very bottom of our hearts.”

She later posted: “The aftercare and physio is such a huge part of Archie’s treatment as he has got new body that he needs to discover, as the old one with spasticity has gone.

“Without this physio he will not improve, the strength and muscle building just will not happen, this aftercare needs to continue for at least two years.

“This is why we always have in the back of our minds getting to our fundraising target.”

The family had worked tirelessly to reach their target of £85,000 and had campaigned with the help of Gloucester-based charity The Superhero Foundation.

Simon Brasier from Cashes Green ran the London Marathon in aid of Archie earlier this year.

“I’m so glad Archie is doing well. He’s an amazing little kid,” he said.

“I’m so proud of him an all the family. They worked tirelessly to make his dream come true.

“Charlotte deserves real praise for the effort she has put it to make her child’s life better.”

You can donate to Archie via his Virgin Money page here: http://goo.gl/41Gy95