A courageous youngster who often asks, "will it be today that I walk again mum?' has been nominated for a Burton Mail Heroes award.

Beau and his six-year-old twin brother Seth Machin defied doctors and beat the odds when they were born 14 weeks premature, weighing just 1lb 10oz each.

Seth is now a perfectly healthy youngster but Beau struggles with major health issues, including not being able to walk due to cerebral palsy.

But all that could change if the plucky youngster with an "infectious smile" manages to raise enough funds to travel to Missouri in the USA to undergo a life-changing private operation.

Despite there being no cure for Cerebral Palsy, there is a vital surgery available called SDR Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy.

Beau Machin, who has cerebral palsy, needs an SDR operation in America so he can walk normally. Pictured are parents Georgina and Andy, with twins Beau (centre-right) and Seth.

The operation involves cutting some of the damaged sensory nerve fibres which are causing muscle stiffness that come from the muscles and enter the spinal cord.

Mum Georgina said: "To see our two lads playing together in the garden would be indescribable.

"Beau sometimes says 'will it be today that I walk again mum?.' It's very difficult, but I try to answer as honestly as I can.

"I tell him his brain was poorly and the part that was poorly was the part that tells his legs what to do."

Beau has always been a fighter after suffering a devastating bleed on his brain, said his mum.

Beau Machin, who has cerebral palsy, needs an SDR operation in America so he can walk normally. Pictured is Beau in his infancy, when he spent months in hospital after being born premature.

The twins spent the first few months of their lives undergoing surgery in hospital with complications ranging from perforated bowels to chronic lung disease, she said.

But the tots defied medics' predictions time and again - and were eventually able to go home to live with parents Andy and Georgina in Uttoxeter.

Now Seth is enjoying a healthy childhood. But life is very different for Beau who is unable to walk without a frame and needs daily physiotherapy as his muscles deteriorate by the day.

The family say the American operation is Beau's "last hope" of ever being able to play football with his brother after exhausting every other option.

They have tried botox in Beau's muscles, physiotherapy and "everything else" they could think of - but nothing has worked.

The Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) procedure and subsequent rehab Beau needs is likely to cost £75,000.

Lorry driver Andy and full-time mum Georgina, aged 42 and 41 respectively, have set up the Beau's Boots are Made for Walking web page to gather online donations.

Georgina said: "Beau is my hero, he has always shown a tremendous amount of strength and determination. He tries his hardest to keep up with his peers.

Beau Machin, who has cerebral palsy, needs an SDR operation in America so he can walk normally. Pictured are parents Georgina and Andy Machin, with twins Beau (centre-left) and Seth.

"Beau always works so hard as daily tasks like even sitting is even more strenuous, yet despite this he loves to make people laugh with his witty sense of humour or tickling them.

"He has the most loving heart and often will stop whatever he is doing and say 'huggie time' and gives a big cuddle.

"He has been through so much already, already having four operations, but he always has a smile and never complains. He is our hero!"

Donations towards Beau's operation can be made online at www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/just4children/beausbootsaremadeforwalking

Beau Machin, who has cerebral palsy, needs an SDR operation in America so he can walk normally. Pictured are parents Andy and Georgina, twins Beau and Seth (right), grandma Kath Wilde and family dog Bess.

Beau has been nominated for The Courage Award, sponsored by Close Brothers Asset Finance, as part of our Burton Mail Heroes Awards.

Sharon Chalkley, managing director of Close Brothers Asset Finance Transport based in Burton, said: "It is so important to us, and such a privilege for Close Brothers, that we can demonstrate our support for our local community by sponsoring these awards.

"We're delighted to sponsor the Courage Award; a fantastic category which recognises people in the Burton area who have faced incredibly tough challenges, and have risen to face them with astounding bravery.

"The nominees' stories this year have been incredibly moving, and I'm really looking forward to getting together with the rest of the local community to celebrate the exceptional people we have here in Burton."

Close Brothers Asset Finance is a leading asset finance company, providing finance for businesses buying new or used vehicles or equipment.

Backed by the leading UK merchant bank Close Brothers, the company offers effective solutions for SMEs who need fast and flexible funding with Hire Purchase, Lease and Refinance.

To nominate your hero and say the biggest thank you of all, all you need to for do is fill out this form.

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