Dorset Children’s Foundation is aiming to raise £10,000 for Imogen, aged seven, who has been offered an operation through the NHS on the lower spinal cord, called an SDR operation.

A successful operation could result in better range of movement and less tension in the muscle.

The operation also requires a minimum of two years physiotherapy, and due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Imogen has not been able to raise funds herself.

Without the physiotherapy, her muscles will be unable to regain any strength. In an attempt to help raise the money Sammy Jeff and partner Lee have kitted their house out with hundreds of Christmas lights.

Sammy, 28, said: “The Dorset Children’s Foundation is a local charity.

“They helped us last year.

“We have a little boy, Bobby, who is a SWAN (syndrome without a name).

“He has a specialist pushchair which costs hundreds and hundreds of pounds, they provided it about this time last year.

“We are involved in the charity, Bobby plays football for them on a Sunday.”

SWAN is a term used by doctors when a child has symptoms of a genetic disorder, but these symptoms cannot be diagnosed.

Sammy said they decorated their house with Christmas lights last year and were asked if they were collecting for charity. She said this prompted them to raise money this year.

“The charity means the world, they have helped us and Imogen is a lovely little girl.

“It is a brilliant local charity. Through lockdown when people weren’t going out they were dropping off bags of gifts, they are a great local charity.”

The lights are in Midland Road, Winton, and donations can be made via https://bit.ly/3mlmRFa