BARRY schoolgirl Niamh Hurn is set to have her life-changing operation at Bristol Children’s Hospital this Friday, March 27.

The plucky youngster will undergo selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) surgery – after the NHS in Wales agreed the procedure’s funding.

The nine-year-old Palmerston Primary pupil suffers from hydrosyringomeylia and is unable to walk without assistance.

A public campaign and fundraising appeal raised more than £16,000 to fund the operation and aftercare privately after NHS funding in Wales was initially unavailable.

Vale MP Alun Cairns wrote to the health board to highlight Niamh’s case and request she get considered.

The schoolgirl needed surgery before she turned 10 years of age in December for the best outcome.

The procedure involves removing bone from one vertebrae and making an incision in the spine to divide nerve roots that contribute to the spasticity.

The operation leads to more balance - enabling the patient to walk.

Mum Michelle Hurn said: “Niamh is fully aware that she will have a long hard road to recovery after the operation, but despite this she is really looking forward to it. She is such a brave strong little girl. Chris and I still can't quite believe it is happening. We are trying to keep positive and look towards the end result. We have had amazing support, which has definitely helped us to keep in the right mind set and believe that this is possible.”