LITTLE Katie Dodd is preparing for surgery before hopefully travelling to America in February for life-saving treatment.

Katie, aged four, is in the middle of treatment for a cancerous tumour on her spine, which has left her unable to walk.

The Farnworth youngster is due to undergoe an operation next week to remove the metal plates that had to be inserted in her spine after the removal of the tumour last August, when she was first diagnosed.

Parents Lee and Rebecca are hoping Katie will be ready the trip to the USA for the most advanced form of radiotherapy, proton beam therapy, in early February. Mrs Dodd said: “Katie’s very, very tired. It’s just the build up of all of the treatment and she is also having home schooling now. But she is doing ok and we’re hoping she’ll be ready for surgery next week.”

While Katie’s travel and treatment costs are funded by the NHS, Mr and Mrs Dodd need extra funds to take time off work and take their son Joseph with them to the States.

They will also need to make alterations to their home and buy equipment to support Katie’s disability when they return.

So far, the appeal has raised more than £2,000 and various businesses have made pledges to help the family reach their £20,000 target.

A football fundraiser was held on Friday by corporate rescue and recovery specialist Begbies Traynor at Salford Sports Village.

As well as Begbies Traynor, which had two teams, Jones Lang LaSalle, RBS IF, Landwood Group, George Davies, Christies and Co, North Star Estates, Hallidays, Archive Solutions and Brabners Chaffe Street also took part.

Regional managing partner Paul Stanley, from Deansgate-based Begbies Traynor, said: “It is great that so many businesses are willing to come together for such a worthy cause. Katie’s family needs all the help and support they can get at this difficult time and everyone who has heard about Katie’s illness and the appeal has been really keen to help them.”

For information on the appeal go to katiedoddappeal.co.uk.