St Michael’s Primary School staff and students were doing some funky fundraising in Helston |last week to support one of their pupils.

They put on two events as part of “Fundraising Footsteps”, raising money for the Packet’s Footprints campaign to help seven-year-old Josh Mills get back on his feet.

The youngster has cerebral palsy, affecting all four limbs. Currently unable to walk or stand unaided, Josh’s family hopes that a pioneering operation will one day make both these possible.

Fundraising is now underway to pay for the necessary after care following the operation.

For one event at St Michael’s pupils were asked to wear any shoes they liked in return for a donation to the campaign. This saw children lined up in wellies, hiking boots and slippers for the occasion.

Fundraising was then boosted by a collection at the year three and four carol service in Helston Methodist Church. Both events together have raised over £200 towards the £7,000 needed for physiotherapy sessions following Josh’s operation.

The £27,000 procedure at Bristol’s Frenchay Hospital will remove tight muscle tone in his leg which is preventing him from walking properly. However this means that Josh will have to build the muscle again from scratch.

Josh’s teacher said that his schoolmates were “delighted to help”, as they knew how much he needed the operation and the following therapy.

The pupils have grown up with Josh and he is a well liked pupil at St Michael’s, which has delighted in raising money and having fun while doing so.

A fundraising account has been set up in Josh’s name, called the Josh Mills Fundraising account. The account number is 54918421 and the sort code is 53-50-37 for donations.