PLUCKY youngster Hari Kieft is getting ready for the most important day of his life.

The two-year-old and his family will set out from Neath for the USA next week to undergo a spinal operation that will allow him to walk unaided for the first time.

That operation is now confirmed to take place on Tuesday, March 6, in the St Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri.

Hari, who was born 10 weeks premature and diagnosed with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, will fly out from Heathrow next Saturday along with parents Richard and Cerianne and his sister Olivia.

“At the moment we are working really hard with Hari to improve his strength before he has his surgery,” said Cerianne, who lives with her family in the Waunceirch area.

“He’s having private physiotherapy so that he’s in the best possible shape.

“It is major spinal surgery and his body needs to be in good condition to cope with it.

“We’re anxious but excited because we know that, in 2012, Hari will have his wish to walk, which is what we have been working for over the last seven months.”

Hari was accepted for a spinal surgery procedure called a rhizotomy. It involves cutting the nerves in his spine to release the spasticity in his legs.

The youngster’s plight touched the hearts of many hundreds of people, including Swans star Ashley Williams, who between them raised the £45,000 needed for Hari to have the operation.

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has helped Hari,” added Cerianne. “The Evening Post has been fantastic from the start as well.

“We cannot get over all the support we have received. It continues to amaze and delight us.”

Fundraising events organised before the Kiefts hit their target are still going ahead, including a sponsored ride by the South Wales Bikers taking place this weekend.

Yet while March 6 is D-day for him, Hari will face a lot of hard work — and his family will face a lot of expense — afterwards.

“The aftercare is going to be very expensive,” explained Cerianne. “Private physiotherapy costs £100 a session and he will need four or five sessions a week for a year.

“It’s going to have a huge impact on us. It’s a huge commitment for us but the results are going to be life-changing.

“There shouldn’t have to be a price for a child to walk but that is what we have to do and that is what we are going to do.”

paul.lewis@swwmedia.co.uk