AN INSPIRATIONAL Hampshire schoolgirl has had a life-changing operation that will allow her to walk – and is already celebrating her “new” legs.

Keeley Cullen, who suffers from cerebral palsy, is making remarkable progress following four hours of surgery at the world-famous Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

Eight-year-old Keeley underwent a highly-effective procedure in which surgeons cut the faulty spinal nerves responsible for muscle stiffness.

Last night her jubilant mum Zara, 29, of Marchwood, said: “She can move her toes and ankles and is not in any pain.

“Within an hour of coming out of recovery she was eating and chatting. Her first words were: ‘Can I go home now’.

“I can’t get over how much movement she has in her legs. Keeley says they’re soft and loose, whereas before they were horrible.”

Keeley has received a gift and a good luck card from staff at Marchwood Infant School, where she was a pupil before moving on to the junior school.

Head teacher Stuart Calvert said: “Keeley is such a happy and delightful child. She made a big impact when she was here.

“She smiles her way through everything and always rises to any challenge.

“The operation appears to have gone very well. It will give her independence, which will be fantastic for Keeley and her family.”

Known as selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR), the surgery aims to improve her mobility, enabling her to walk unaided for the first time.

However, her progress over the next few months will depend on how well she responds to physiotherapy.

Zara’s friends and supporters have turned to social media, describing Keeley’s success so far as “amazing” and “fantastic”.

Louise Reach said: “She’s an inspiration and an absolute superstar.”

Angie Davison added: “Fantastic news. I’m so proud of you Keeley. Well done Zara for being so strong.”

As reported in the Daily Echo, SDR and the accompanying physiotherapy costs £50,000 but is not normally available on the NHS, which means parents of children who need the life-changing operation have to find the cash themselves.

Zara and her supporters held a large number of fundraising events in the Marchwood area to enable Keeley to realise her dream of walking without a frame.

A few weeks ago a series of anonymous donations took the total raised to £40,000 – more than enough to pay for the actual surgery.

Zara has matched the success of Hythe mum Vicki Mills, whose three-year-old James had SDR following the success of a Daily Echo-backed appeal.