Kitty Kerr, the stunning little girl who has touched so many hearts around Gloucestershire and beyond, is looking good and feeling good and her delighted mum Tina Duffy can’t say “thank you” enough to everyone who has helped make it happen.

You may remember that the last time The Local Answer spoke to Tina she was busy fundraising so that eight-year-old Kitty, who has Diplegic Cerebral Palsy, could have a life-changing operation.

And the good news is that since having the operation in Bristol on 17th November, Kitty is making progress far quicker than Tina and pretty much everyone else thought possible.

Diplegic Cerebral Palsy is a type of cerebral palsy which affects the legs and it meant that Kitty, a pupil at St Gregory’s Primary School in Cheltenham, could not walk without the use of a walker.

“The progress she has made is astounding,” said Tina. “She says she feels freer in herself. The operation was a total success and exceeded all expectations. She’s got a proper walking step and this is just the start. We’re very, very hopeful, fingers crossed, that when she gets older she’ll be able to walk pretty much like everyone else.”

That Kitty and her family have come so far so quickly hasn’t happened by accident of course. Kitty, who will be nine on 1st February, has a very strict rehab programme – so strict in fact that it would make many of us tired just reading it!

But Tina is very keen to emphasise that’s it’s not just down to Kitty’s immediate family that her girl with the gorgeous smile is on the road to recovery.

The operation and the four years of therapy that now follow are not funded by the NHS, which meant that Tina had to launch a fundraising campaign last year to pay the bills.

At the time she admitted that it was something that she was not comfortable with – “I’ve never asked for anything in my life,” she said back in May – but such has been the overwhelming response from so many people, including sports men, women and clubs, that close on £70,000 has already been raised with about £8,500 raised from sporting events.

“Our target was £80,000 and I think we need to raise another £11,000,” said Tina. “It’s been fantastic. We’re completely and utterly amazed and flabbergasted by the kindness and generosity shown by so many people. We’re so grateful, so thankful.

“We never dreamed that people would be so supportive, it’s been a game-changer for Kitty. We can’t believe it.

“It’s meant that we don’t have to worry about doing any fundraising for quite a while now and can concentrate all our efforts on Kitty.”

And those efforts are certainly paying dividends.

Every week Kitty has an hour of hydrotherapy at Betteridge School, an hour of physiotherapy at Cheltenham Hospital and two hours of specialist neuro physiotherapy in Rodborough.

That’s in addition to the daily programme that she must undertake at home to strengthen her core muscles, hamstrings and improve her balance.

That’s a big commitment for anyone, let alone an eight-year-old – she’s also a regular at Cotswold Riding for the Disabled and goes away during the year for week-long strengthening courses – so what kind of pupil is Kitty?

“She does try and distract the therapists because she’s very chatty,” laughed Tina, “but I think they’re getting the measure of her now.”

And what’s she like doing the exercises with mum?

“She does give me the runaround,” said Tina, still laughing. “I have to be strict with her. It’s so important that we stick to the regime. She’ll need a daily routine for the rest of her life – a bit like going to the gym.”

Tina is also very grateful for “all the support” that St Gregory’s have given the family and continue to give.

And even though Kitty knows she has to work very hard over the weeks, months and years ahead, there’s still plenty of time for fun as well.

That will be especially true on the first day of next month, so what has Tina got planned for Kitty’s birthday?

“She loves Matilda,” said Tina, “so we’re taking her to see the show in London. She can’t wait!”