A MAN has embarked on an ambitious fundraiser to give his sick son access to life-changing surgery.

Bradley Winstanley, 36, and his wife Charlotte, are the proud parents of two twin boys, Austin and Freddie, who have survived against all the odds after being born at 25 weeks, both weighing around 11b 10oz. Doctors gave the twins less than a 10 per cent chance of survival upon their birth.

Austin required two emergency trips to the Great Ormond Street Hospital for pioneering brain surgery, the first at just five weeks old.

But Austin has handled his treatment well, which has included three other brain surgeries and two other major operations. Austin, who is now four, has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, and is unable to stand or walk without the the use of a frame.

However, there is potential for recovery, with a new procedure called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR).

Mr Winstanley, who grew up in Cippenham and Eton, and previously worked for the Slough Observer, said: “SDR reduces the spasticity of the children with Cerebral Palsy, which is basically the main disability Austin suffers from. Along with physiotherapy for between one to two years, that gives him the best possible chance of walking again“

The procedure, although available at GOSH, is not currently funded by the NHS, and will require the family to raise £75,000 to pay for their costs.

“It’s not currently being offered by the NHS because its still being trialled. In America, its been performed 6,000 times, but here it’s in the hundreds.It will be reviewed by the NHS in the next few years, and they’ll make a decision to fund it or not. But with Austin then having to go on a waiting list, we’ll lose the best window for the treatment.”

Learn more at: www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/just4children/austinsnextbigstep