LAST Christmas, this little girl could not stand up by herself.

But as four-year-old Charlotte Wakefield, from Corfe Mullen, giggles and reaches to play with the decorations on the Christmas tree today, you would never know it.

A year ago, her parents Kim and Steve were anxiously waiting as she underwent drastic surgery in the USA to cut sensory nerve fibres in her spinal cord and solve problems in her leg muscles, caused by cerebral palsy, that stopped her walking on her heels.

Luckily the surgery worked wonders.

And, thanks to a £3,000 donation from Parkstone Trade and Labour Club, the little Rushcombe First School pupil will be going back for more treatment in March.

Mum Kim Wakefield, said the trip will cost £10,000.

She said: “It’ll be a shorter visit this time – as her bones grow quicker than the muscles, they need to be cut and lengthened.

“They’ve got such a great team, she’ll also be able to get some intense physiotherapy and have more specially made leg braces fitted as she’s now out-growing her old pair.”

Kim says she’s amazed at how Charlotte throws herself into all sorts of things, ranging from swimming to starring in her first Nativity.

“It’s like having a totally different child,” she added.

“Her confidence has grown, her speech has improved and she’s so much happier.

“She always had a smile on her face, but nothing can stop her now.”

Paul Payne, president of the Parkstone Trade and Labour Club, made funding Charlotte’s operation the club’s charity of the year.

He said: “Charlotte’s been coming to the club since she was two weeks old.

“Each year we try to do our bit for a different cause, but with Charlotte people can really see what we’re doing it for.

“She’s always laughing and being cheeky now,” he added.