YOUNG Charlie Mitchell returned to the Children's Opportunity Centre with great news.

Not only has the appeal to fund life-changing surgery for the five-year-old reached its target – it surpassed it by £10,000.

Charlie's mum, Sarah, had no doubts about where the "extra" should go – the centre in Coleford which Charlie attended before starting at Ellwood Primary School.

Mrs Mitchell said: "Charlie has attended the centre since he was a baby. He still attends conductive education there once a week, which is a group form of physio.

"They have been a great support to us and many other families and we wanted to support a local charity – it wasn't difficult to decide where it should go."

Charlie joined other youngsters in the playroom at the centre last Thursday where he was presented with a giant congratulations card by his former key worker Kerry Smith.

She said: "Charlie is such a wonderful child and we are absolutely thrilled they have reached the target. "Having the money over coming our way is fantastic."

The appeal to raise £25,000 to enable the Sling youngster to be able to walk pain-free was launched in January.

Charlie's family are now waiting for a date for the operation at the Bristol Children's Hospital.

Charlie has a form of cerebral palsy called spastic diplegia which causes the leg muscles to tighten and contract meaning he cannot get his feet flat.

Mrs Mitchell said: "We want to thank everyone who has so kindly donated and organised events for him. "We have been truly overwhelmed by the support we've received."

The family of Imogen Ashwell-Lewis of Caldicot is also raising funds to allow the two-year-old to receive the same treatment as Charlie.