A £20,000 TRIP to undergo life-changing surgery in America could help a determined little girl’s dreams come true.

Ten-year-old Megan Sadler, from Milford Haven, has scoliosis – curvature of the spine – and has to wear a restrictive spinal brace for 23 hours a day.

A member of Milford Haven Gymnastics Club, Megan hasn’t let condition stop her from pursuing her passion, but without corrective surgery this won’t be possible for long.

Megan has been offered free vertebral body tethering (VBT) surgery at the Shriners children’s hospital in Philadelphia, but her family needs to raise enough money to travel to the USA, and stay there for six weeks while she recovers.

They are hoping to raise £20,000 to pay for the trip, and follow-up appointments, but time is tight.

“We need to raise as much money as quickly as possible as any growth spurt could prevent Megan from being a candidate,” said mum Laura.

VBT works best on younger patients, because their bones are less mature, but needs to be performed while the spinal curve is less than 70 degrees.

The surgery enables patients to maintain flexibility, and lessens the chance of needing multiple surgeries.

No longer available in the UK, without it Megan will have to have growth rods inserted, followed by fusion surgery, restricting Megan’s ability to move and requiring regular hospital visits.

“Everyone I’ve spoken to has so much praise and love for the hospital,” said Laura.

“They say it’s a really calm place, which is really important to us as the enormity of the surgery is terrifying.

“But it’s something I believe is right for Megan, so how could you not do that for your child?”

Megan was diagnosed when she was six, and her parents were initially reluctant to let her take up gymnastics.

"But when they really want to do something it’s so hard to say no," said Laura.

“It just always felt really unfair to tell her ‘you can’t be anything you want to be, even though your dream is gymnastics and sports, you can’t do that’.

“You tell your kids they can do what they want if they work hard, so we’ve got to fight for her dream and for her to have as normal a life as possible.”

Around £1,300 has been raised so far, and Milford Gymnastics Club has organised an acrobatic display event with show choir on Friday, January 27, to drum up support.

“The club is like one big family, and they’ve been amazing,” said Laura.

“Even just people turning up to support the event would mean so much.”

Raffle prizes can be donated by contacting Pam McGillivray, club secretary, on 01646 695017.

Donations can also be made by visiting gofundme.com/Meganvbt