THIS sports mad youngster's family is asking for help to raise £40,000 to fund an operation, which could help him realise his dream of becoming a footballer.

Seven-year-old Ethan Jolosa from Cwmbran was born nine weeks early weighing 4lbs and could fit in the palm of his mother Leah's hand.

He spent two months in hospital and recovered well but was diagnosed with Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy at around 18 months.

The condition means the muscles in his legs are extremely tight and painful and forcing him to walk on the tips of his toes.

As a result his feet cross over when he walks and he has to use a frame, which leaves him exhausted, or a wheelchair to get around.

But despite the condition the brave Pontnewydd Primary School pupil is sports mad and loves to play football for Cardiff City Cerebral Palsy Football Team and basketball for Cardiff Celts.

The youngster undergoes daily physiotherapy and has even had Botox injections to relax his muscles and ease his pain.

But now his mum has launched a fundraising campaign to fund a pioneering surgery at Bristol's Frenchay Hospital that would change his life.

The operation, which costs £25,000 will relax with the muscles in Ethan's legs, allowing him to walk normally.

He will then face 18 months of specialist physiotherapy costing £15,000 to rebuild his strength and teach him to walk again.

Doctors have said he is the perfect candidate for the surgery but the family say the Welsh Government will not fund his operation. So single mum Miss Jolosa, 27, faces the huge task of trying to raise the money herself.

The teaching assistant said: "It's a huge amount of money, I haven't slept it's so stressful. But I am confident because the support I have had from friends and family and people who don't even know us has been amazing."

"He (Ethan) is very active, he loves life and this is the reason I want to do this. He wants to be a footballer so people can remember him - that's all he ever says. I want to be able to give him that."

Nearly £2,000 has already been raised and dozens have joined a Facebook Group called Ethan's Wish to Walk.

A Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee spokeswoman said it is policy not to comment on individual patient cases.

To make a donation visit justgiving.com/Ethan-jolosa or text BHNP87 followed by the amount to 70070.