GEORGIE Gibbs has been given a date for her life-changing operation.

The three-year-old girl, who has spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, will have her operation in Bristol on February 22 and will spend several weeks in hospital before returning home to start a two year journey of rehabilitation.

Mum Clare said: "Last night at 6pm we were given the news she is definitely going ahead for surgery and it was in just over two weeks time.

"It's fantastic news.

"I've got a whole mix of emotions.

"Last week when we heard the news that she was on the trial I didn't believe them.

"We've been let down so many times.

"I didn't get my hopes up so it was a bolt out of the blue.

"I was shocked and then relieved that we aren't going to have to go to America to do this.

"Then I was scared, very scared as a mother who knows their child has to go through something so intense.

"She's a strong character though and she will lead us.

"I know Georgie will be the strongest person in all this.

"I feel like a rabbit in the headlights."

Georgie, from St John's, will have the selective dorsal rhizotomy, which will help her to walk unaided.

Mrs Gibbs said, since the call, the family had discussed how they would cope with Georgie's operation and rehabilitation as well as what would happen to the money raised by the HelpGeorgie campaign.

The campaign was originally set up to pay for Georgie to have the operation in America.

She said: "I want to be transparent.

"The funds will go towards post operation aftercare and equipment required in order for the operation to be successful.

"Georgie needs at least two years intensive rehabilitation.

"The NHS will not provide all of this.

"For example the NICE guidelines for the operation is that she has four to five physio sessions a week for after care.

"The NHS are offering three sessions for about four weeks.

"This money means we can pay the £130 a session for a private physiotherapist.

Other plans include the possibility of Hippotherapy, possible further orthopaedic surgery which the NHS does not currently provide, specialised equipment and adaptations at her home.

Mrs Gibbs added: "We are so appreciative of how people have helped us and so I think we have a duty to keep them informed on where the money will go.

"Basically it means I've been reassured we will be able to provide the after care and equipment she needs.

"Georgie can have the best of the best with the money we would have spent on going to America."