28/02/2007

Seven-year-old boy prepares to take first steps

A seven-year-old boy from Coleraine is set to take his first steps after undergoing surgery in Spain.

Carlo Morelli suffers from a condition dipelgia cerebral palsy and has never been able to walk.

However, the life-changing operation, which took place last Friday, will see the youngster take his first steps.

He will remain in plaster casts for the next six weeks, but despite this he returned to school today.

A major fundraising drive got under way to send the boy to Barcelona for the operation, with stars including footballers David Beckham and Wayne Rooney, as well as world boxing champion Joe Calzaghe and golfer Graeme McDowell donating shirts to raise £14,000.

(JM/SP)

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