A HAMPSHIRE town is preparing to host a major fundraising event that aims to help an inspirational schoolgirl win her battle to walk.

Nine-year-old Keeley Cullen has made remarkable progress since undergoing a £50,000 operation funded by people who dug deep after being moved by her plight.

But Keeley still needs expensive physiotherapy and rehabilitation, which is expected to take at least two years and could cost as much as £20,000.

Now a charity concert starring Southampton Rock Choir, Ocean Harmony and Hampshire musician Becky Lombardi is being staged in Totton later this month as part of the Keep Keeley Moving campaign.

Keeley, who suffers from cerebral palsy, underwent a life-changing operation called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) last May.

The procedure, which is not normally available on the NHS and has to be funded privately, involves surgeons cutting the faulty nerves responsible for muscle stiffness.

Keeley’s mum Zara said: “Since having SDR she has progressed so much. She can walk independently for short distances but still needs her crutches for slightly longer trips and uses her frame in the school playground.

“She still falls over a lot but we know that over time this will improve.”

Keeley is having physiotherapy twice a week as well as travelling to Wales every other month for three-day sessions at a specialist centre for SDR patients. She also goes swimming and horse riding.

Zara said: “Seeing Keeley do things that were impossible before her operation is such a good feeling.

“Her progress over the last ten months has been amazing and she just keeps on improving – she’s constantly discovering new ways of moving her legs and feet.

“I’m very proud of her determination and strength to keep going – she never gives up.

“By proving that no matter how hard things are you can keep battling through, Keeley is an inspiration to many children and adults.”

Zara and her supporters managed to fund the schoolgirl’s SDR operation following the success of a Daily Echo-backed appeal.

But they now need to raise enough money to finance the rest of Keeley’s physiotherapy and rehabilitation, which aims to improve her strength and mobility.

Zara said: “We’d like to thank everyone who helped fund the first part of her journey – the operation. We now need to bring on the second part – the rehab.”

The charity concert will be held at the Empire Hall, Totton, on March 25 at 7.30pm. For tickets call 07427 129402 or e-mail zara.cullen@yahoo.co.uk.