A SEVEN-year-old boy from Basingstoke is preparing to run 10k to help a little girl walk.

Callum Savings decided he wanted to do something to help two-year-old Emmy King, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy spastic diplegia last July when she was just 20-months-old.

As previously reported in The Gazette, Emmy’s mother Carly, from Lychpit, launched a fundraising appeal in January to raise the £85,000 needed to pay for life-changing surgery in America, which helps sufferers walk, as the procedure is not yet available on the NHS in the UK.

So far, the appeal has raised an incredible £46,000, and now Callum is set to increase that figure through his running challenge this Sunday.

The Old Basing Infant School pupil, who is a regular runner at the Basingstoke Parkrun every Saturday, is determined to complete his furthest distance yet when he takes on 10k.

He has so far raised £450, and said: “I am really excited to run for Emmy so that one day she can run too. I really hope I have lots of people there and I make lots of money for the charity.”

His grandmother, Wendy Hewett, said; “He runs a timed 5k route at the Parkrun but 10k will be the ultimate test for his little legs and although he wanted to try a marathon, mummy talked him out of that.”

Callum looks set to follow in the footsteps of his mum Nikki, who last year completed an incredible challenge when she ran seven marathons in seven days for charity.

His grandmother added: “He is very keen to do something life-changing for another family, especially as he knows them personally.

"It is very close to his heart, and his heart is very big.”

Callum will start his run at Tesco Express, in Lychpit, at 2pm, and he hopes people will come along to cheer him on.

Wendy said: “I’m extremely proud. He’s just brilliant and has such a big heart. His mum does a lot for charity and we do believe in charity, especially when they are close to your heart.

“Some of us are going to run it with him and people can come along and cheer him on as he goes. It will be a nice community event.”

Carly said the amazing response to the appeal, named Ready Emmy Walk, has enabled the family to schedule surgery for Emmy later this year, adding: “We are over the moon, the response from the local community has been simply incredible.”

Referring to Callum’s run this Sunday, she added: “It’s a wonderful thing for such a young boy to offer to do. His mum Nikki is a close family friend of ours and an amazing lady – it’s clear to see that her determination and kindness has rubbed off on her son.”

To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/readyemmywalk/.