Pictured above: Challinors Malford Harris (far right) and Jamie Partington (second from right) have helped Kian Collins (front) and his family - step-father Daniel (left) and mother Melissa (centre back) - with trust documents for his 'First Steps Appeal'.

The family of six-year old Kian Collins, who suffers from cerebral palsy, has turned to local law firm Challinors for legal help and support in his 'First Steps Appeal', which it is hoped will raise the £50,000 he needs for an operation that will help him walk for the first time.

Partner and commercial law and not-for-profit sector specialist Malford Harris and trainee solicitor Jamie Partington have put in place the legal documentation for the Trust and Trustees of the First Steps Appeal, which governs the operations of the Appeal and how the monies raised by it are used.

Kian, who lives in Smethwick with his mum Melissa, step-dad Daniel and ten-month old baby sister, Skye, could be able to walk if the Appeal is successful in raising the funds that will get him to America for an operation which is not available here in the UK.

"The procedure Kian needs is 'selective dorsal rhizotomy'," explains Kian's mum Melissa. "In America, the procedure involves using electrolysis to isolate the nerve that doesn't work, and then snipping only this one spinal nerve so that Kian can take his first steps. It has a proven track record of success and very minimal long term damage. The only similar procedure here in the UK available on the NHS involves cutting seven spinal nerves which, it is known, will compromise mobility and the overall success of the operation.

"We heard about the American operation on GMTV, which featured a little boy who also suffered from cerebral palsy and who had successfully undergone the treatment in the US. If we are successful in raising the £50,000 we need through the First Steps Appeal, it means we can get Kian to America for this life-changing operation and see him take his first steps."

Challinors' Malford Harris, adds: "Melissa called me out of the blue and the moment she explained she needed a set of Trust documents for this Appeal for Kian, I didn't hesitate in saying we would be delighted to help. Its been a privilege to be involved in getting the Trust up and running and building the foundation blocks for this fantastic Appeal, which has already raised more than £10,000 through the support of local people and businesses but which still needs more if Kian is to get the chance to walk."

Challinors is experienced in and has a long history of working with and for charities and organisations in the not-for-profit sector, including the National Association of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the National Governors Association and Natural England; Malford Harris has undertaken legal work for nationwide and local charities for more than 20 years. The firm is also active with its own fundraising programme to support local charities, most recently for the Birmingham Focus for the Blind and the Birmingham Women's Hospital's Tiny Babies Big Appeal, which Jamie ran for in the recent Birmingham half-marathon.

Anyone able to offer financial support of Kian's First Steps Appeal, who wishes to make a donation, or to discuss ideas for fundraising activities, should contact Melissa on 07850 156445.

Challinors has offices in Birmingham, West Bromwich, Wolverhampton, Halesowen and Nottingham. The firm has 25 partners and over 100 fee earners, and is ranked as one of the top legal firms in the West Midlands, being Number 1 in the Chambers UK Directory in a number of categories, including Clinical Negligence.