THE parents of a budding ballerina are overwhelmed after supporters helped her undergo groundbreaking spinal surgery just days before thousands of operations were cancelled because of coronavirus.

Lily-May Potter, from Maldon, was diagnosed with scoliosis a day after her 13th birthday.

An appeal was launched to raise a whopping £45,000 for the teenager to have life-changing surgery in Germany.

And just over a month after the Standard highlighted her plight, the dance-lover’s family had raised the money they needed.

Mum Kathryn Barnett said: “Lily-May’s surgery was amazingly successful despite the fact her curves had grown to 83 and 56 degrees.

“If it hadn’t been for the incredibly quick response to our fundraising, it would have been too late to have this groundbreaking surgery.

“We still can’t believe that £45,000 was raised in little over a month.

“The kindness and generosity of people blew us away and we are so thankful.

“We are blessed to have been able to have the surgery at all as borders across Europe began to close shortly after our return and most planned surgeries were cancelled.”

Lily-May suffered from dizziness, nausea, tingling in her hands and feet and spasms before the pioneering surgery.

Her mum said: “She had eight hours of spinal surgery and eight days in hospital, post surgery. 15 screws were inserted into her spine, with a single tether in the upper curve and a double tether in the lumber.

“The curves are massively reduced already and will continue to straighten with growth.

“Her waist is even and her shoulders are symmetrical – we can’t believe the change.

“All her pain, numbness, tingling has disappeared.”

During the operation, surgeons also discovered Lily-May’s lung function was down to 60per cent pre-surgery, which they are now hoping will be corrected.

Whilst Lily-May was in hospital she was nominated for a Jack Petchey Award through her dance school, to recognise her perseverance and bravery.

Kathryn added: “She is already back to twirling round the house and working hard with physiotherapy.

“She is doing so well and had it been open, she would have been back at school.

“We just want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone and let them know what a difference they made to our dancing teen.

“As a family we are incredibly grateful to the whole community and forever thankful.”