Firefighters turn fundraisers to help six-year-old get life-changing surgery

James Hughes has cerebral palsy and spastic diplegia which means he needs to use a walking aid to get around.

The Blackheath Primary School pupil's family have so far raised £18,000 towards an operation – and firefighters from Haden Cross Fire Station have planned an open day this weekend to help their fundraising.

James' mother Cheryl, 35, from Blackheath, said: "The station have been so good in supporting us to raise money for James' operation.

"We have been fundraising since February and done loads of different events. So far we've raised £18,000 for his operation, and we hope that this open day will add to that.

"Any amount that is raised will help, and give James a better future.

"James' operation, a selective dorsal rhizotomy, is to reduce the spasticity in his muscles and give him more mobility.

"At the moment he walks using a small frame. He's very happy in himself and gets around in the way he can."

Watch Commander Temple Jones, 49, said: "When we found out about James we decided we wanted to do something for him, especially because he's such a local lad to the station.

"His mum Cheryl came down to the station and introduced him to us, and though he was a bit shy at first, he is definitely coming out of his shell.

"We know that there are a lot of children and families that need help fundraising, but we hope that our open day will really help James to get the operation he needs."

The open day takes place between 10am and 4pm at the station on Halesowen Road. Previous events at the station have attracted up to a thousand people.

To support James' fundraising visit campaign.justgiving.com/charity/just4children/jamessdream.