A LITTLE boy with a rare genetic disorder has undergone an operation in America, thanks to kind donations from members of the public.

Alfie Leggett, who will celebrate his first birthday later this month, was born with Norrie Disease, a condition which affects just one person in every 12million.

It causes deafness and blindness, and can also lead to autism, slow development and seizures.

He had an operation to give him light perception, but when his parents Tom and Kelly were told he would quickly lose it again they started a fundraising campaign to send him to a specialist in America.

Family, friends and complete strangers got behind their efforts, organising fundraisers and taking part in sponsored challenges.

They raised about £15,000 and the family, who live in The Walk, Eight Ash Green, flew to Detroit at the end of last month.

On December 2 Alfie underwent a four and a half hour operation.

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Dad Tom said: “We knew what to expect but it’s still not nice.

“Who he saw was the best in the world. We knew he was in safe hands.

“The surgeon said he could do everything he wanted to do.

“As far as he’s concerned it was a huge success.”

The surgeon removed scar tissue to release the retina, which will hopefully allow it to settle into the correct place, allowing him to keep his light perception.

Before the operation Alfie’s retina was scrunched up into a ball.

Tom said: “It’s amazing what they do.”

The family arrived home in the early hours of Saturday morning, and they will now have to wait about a month to see if it has worked.

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Tom said: “We’re just so glad he’s had it done. He’s a little fighter. He gets over these things really quickly.

“We’re really eager to see what the results are.

“It’s just a waiting game.

“We’ve got the Christmas tree up and we’re sitting him in front of it hoping he will take notice of that.”

For more information and to donate to Alfie’s appeal visit www.gofundme.com/alfiesvision