Just weeks earlier, riding a bicycle was something the four-year-old could only have imagined.

But now, after a £45,000 life-changing operation, there is no stopping him.

Mum Naomi Miller is still amazed by how far the young cerebral palsy sufferer has come in such a short time.

The Evening Times has followed the family's bid to raise money for Ross to have vital surgery in America to help him walk properly.

After two operations Ross, from Baillieston, is now back home and beginning to enjoy playing like any other child.

Naomi, 22, said: "Ross pedalled towards me on a bike for the first time – and I knew it had all been worthwhile.

"To see him do what other children take for granted was a special moment."

In 2010, Ross was diagnosed with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, which doctors said was caused by him having a stroke in the womb.

While temporary treatments were available in the UK to help his walking, his parents Naomi and Ross Kerr Snr hoped an operation only available in America would change his life.

They launched a fund-raising drive in February so young Ross could undergo selective dorsal rhizotomy surgery to improve his walking and perhaps even enable him kick a football.

"For months we ran car boot sales and bag-packed at supermarkets – it became our whole life," said Naomi.

Five months later the family reached the target and headed to St Louis Children's Hospital in Missouri.

A three-hour operation to help flatten Ross's right foot was carried out on July 12.

Naomi said: "It was an anxious time when Ross was going through the operation.

"Then came the hard part of keeping him lying flat for five days. He wasn't allowed out of bed or to sit up."

But with his family at his side and lots of distractions, including dogs Lily and Ali, which visit children in the hospital, he made it through.

Naomi said: "Physios decided it was time for him to stand on the sixth day. He got out of his chair and with no support stood up straight and from that day on has gone from strength to strength."

Ross underwent intensive physiotherapy, but doctors decided he needed a second operation, on his right heel.

"That was something we were not prepared for. Doctors decided Ross had to have a second operation to lengthen his heel chord, which cost more than £7000.

"We were frantically getting relatives to fund raise all over again back home and we made it. We were contacted by the Arygle Tavern in Baillieston, whose customers raised £3000. We could never have done any of this without people's amazing generosity."

Now Ross and his parents are back home and beginning to enjoy family life again.

"It has already changed our lives," said Naomi. "Ross is now out playing and running about. He is beginning to do new things every day."

Ross will have two weeks of intensive physio and has to wear a foot support for a few weeks, but after that he shouldn't need more than regular physio sessions.

He starts back at nursery later this month.

Naomi added: "Sometimes we asked ourselves if we were doing the right thing putting Ross through all this.

"But he has gone from being a little boy in pain to a happy and confident child.

"Now he has a real chance at the future he deserves."

deborah.anderson@ eveningtimes.co.uk