A DEVOTED Barry family could face having to re-mortgage their house in a valiant attempt to secure their daughter’s walking future.

The Hurn family faces a race against time as eight-year-old Niamh, who suffers from a form of cerebral palsy prepares to celebrate her ninth birthday on December 10 - because the Palmerston primary school pupil needs to undergo a life-changing operation before she reaches the age of 10 and achieve the best chance of success.

Niamh, who uses a wheelchair and Kaye walker to move around due to a condition called hydrosyringomyelia - a blockage within the fluid canal in the spine resulting in a crushing of nerves, needs to have a procedure known as a SDR or selective dorsal rhizotomy.

Mum Michelle and dad Chris, both 35, need to raise a minimum of £30,000 for the procedure and aftercare in the nearest specialist centre – Bristol Children’s Hospital - as funding is unavailable on the NHS in Wales.

The operation would give Niamh the ability to walk unaided and ditch her splints and orthopaedic boots enabling her to play more normally with her sister Jazmin (CORR), five, and friends and enjoy her dance classes and swimming which she loves.

The bubbly, confident, happy youngster would also be free of pain and spasms and able to swallow fluids easily rather than be restricted to thicker smoothie drinks.

Niamh is softly spoken as her lung capacity is half that of a child the same age and she is also prone to infections.

Niamh has been selected as one of the mascots to accompany Cardiff City FC when they take on Leeds Utd at home this Saturday, November 1.

And Liverpool FC legend Jan Molby, Everton and Wales International goalie Neville Southall, rugby ace Adam Jones and Barry boxer Lee Selby have also already pledged support and the family has organised a series of fundraising events to build upon the £1400 plus sum already raised.

Niamh’s mum Michelle said they had suspected something was wrong when she was aged around eight-and-a-half months.

She said: “She was trying to walk, but she would just tumble over. We were concerned, but doctors just said she was a lazy baby.”

The family wanted to get a private assessment, but found that was impossible until she was three years old.

Their concerns were only fully recognised when a health visitor took note and medic Dr Carpenter took an interest in Niamh when she fractured her ankle and ended up in hospital.

COS customer services employee, Michelle said: “It was pure luck. Out of a bad thing came something good. We were quite thankful she did break her ankle.”

Niamh is determined not to let her condition affect her and attends special dance classes and supported swimming while also undergoing a physiotherapy regime.

Dad Chris, a residential social worker for Action For Children, said: “Anything that involves socialising and she’s there in the middle of it. She is going to have that operation. We will re-mortgage the house if we have to.”

Michelle added: “She’s our little girl and to think people have taken her to their hearts is amazing. It means so much. She’s our baby and we just really appreciate it.”

Vale MP Alun Cairns is seeking advice on whether the NHS in Wales can fund Niamh’s treatment, but all monies raised will be used in her rehabilitation whatever the outcome.

Children’s charity Tree of Hope – which offers hope to families of sick and disabled children in the UK needing specialist medical surgery, treatment and therapy - is supporting Niamh.

A concert featuring live music from Back To November, Chloe Cooke and other guests will take place at the Barry Island Sports & Social Club at 7pm on Friday, December 5.

Tickets cost £5.

Magical Mascots Elsa and Anna will switch on the Christmas lights on Wellfield Road, Roath, Cardiff, with a bucket collection for Niamh. Volunteers are needed from 3pm to 7pm on Saturday, November 15.

A Charity Christmas Fancy Dress Fishing competition will take place in Barry from 9am to 2.30pm on Sunday, December 14. Booking in is at the Cold Knap toilets at 8am with the weigh-in and prize giving at the Barry Island Cons at 3.30pm.

Entry costs £10 and there will be a barbecue and raffle.

Dad Chris is organising a sponsored walk from the Severn Bridge to Headlands school, Penarth, on March 28, 2015.

All are welcome to take part in the 50-mile walk, in one day, or select a 25 mile or one mile option as they follow the coastal path.

To help Niamh visit www.treeofhope.org.uk/play-freely-without-pain or www.justgiving.com/HelpNiamhAchieve

If you can volunteer, supply a raffle prize or assist with fundraising in any way, email michellehurn@hotmail.co.uk

Donations can be sent to Help Niamh Achieve c/o COS, Unit 6, Ty Verlon Industrial Estate, Cardiff Road, Barry, CF63 2BE.

Follow Niamh on Twitter @achieve4Niamh or join Facebook group Help Niamh Achieve.