“IT’S the best news I’ve ever had.”

Those are the words of a Hampshire mum who is celebrating today after doctors agreed to perform the operation that will enable her son to walk.

A jubilant Vicki Mills has been told that three-year-old James will undergo the life-changing surgery early next year.

Vicki, 29, of Hythe, wept with joy after being given the good news during a visit to the world famous Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, where the operation will take place.

But NHS England has confirmed that she will have to fund the £50,000 procedure herself, which has left her facing a desperate race against time.

A Daily Echo-backed appeal has raised about £25,000 – enough to pay for the surgery. However, aftercare and physiotherapy will cost as much again.

Now Vicki, pictured below with James, has issued a heart-rending plea to Echo readers to dig deep and make her little boy’s dream come true.

Daily Echo:

During his visit to Great Ormond Street James was examined by experts and found to be an ideal candidate for the operation.

Vicki said: “They’re absolutely amazed at how well he’s doing. They want to do the operation in about six months’ time but it will have to be self-funded - so the race is on to get the money.

“We’ve already raised enough to fund the actual surgery but need another £25,000 to pay for all the treatment he will require afterwards.

“It’s taken me 16 months to get this far and I’ve only got six months to get the rest.

“As a mum I’ll do whatever it takes. James really wants to walk and I’ve got to make sure that he gets his wish.

“The operation itself is 100 per cent effective – it’s changing kids’ lives.”

As reported in the Daily Echo, James has cerebral palsy and can only get around with the aid of a walker.

He needs a special procedure called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR), which improves a patient’s mobility by cutting the faulty nerves responsible for muscle rigidity.

Vicki embarked on her fundraising mission last year after discovering that the surgery and physiotherapy was not normally available on the NHS.

NHS England later agreed to pay for at least 100 SDR operations to be carried out.

However, doctors at his assessment were forced to break the news that funding had dried up and no more cash was available.

Vicki said: “After giving me the news that James had been selected for SDR there was a massive ‘but’ – the fact that I will have to self-fund.

“Minus the ‘but’ it was the best news I’ve ever had.”

Asked how she planned to raise the money Vicki added: “It’s all hands on deck. I’ve got loads of ideas and some events are already in the planning stage.

“James needs this operation so badly.”

In a message to potential fundraisers she added: “As the specialist said, he’s an ideal candidate and would benefit so much. Please help James by making his wish to walk come true.”

Anyone who wants to support he appeal should go online and visit justgiving.com/jamesWTW.