The mum of a little boy helped by a child development centre is leading the push to achieve his £20,000 target fund to help other disabled children in the New Year.

Finley Rosbotham, 5, of Pearl Court in Accrington, learned to walk with the help of specialist physiotherapists at the Holly House Child Development centre after he was born with a rare form of cerebral palsy, defying doctor’s expectations, and is fronting an appeal by the Observer to raise money for specialist disabled equipment at the centre, including interactive whiteboards, tablets and other developmental toys.

The centre is hosting a thank you party for Finley, his family and supporters on January 23, and is hoping to have the full total raised before then.

Staff there have also organised a Christmas raffle to be held at the children’s and parents’ Christmas party on December 23.

Finley’s mum Kelly Rosbotham said: “I am so glad Finley has been an inspiration to the people at Holly House. “It’s just great to have the opportunity to help people. £20,000 will be a big achievement.”

Donations for raffle prizes can be dropped off at Holly House at 421 Blackburn Road, Accrington, BB5 1RT.

Send cheques payable to ‘ELHT Charitable Funds Account’ with Finley’s Friends Appeal on the back to East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust Charitable Funds, Royal Blackburn Hospital, Haslingden Road, Blackburn, BB2 3HH.

Follow fundraising progress on Twitter @finrosbotham.