THE parents of ten-month-old Connor Wrighton from Skipton are preparing to fly him to India in a bid to give him sight.

Nathan and Lisa Wrighton have raised more than £25,000 in just four months to pay for stem cell treatment which they believe is the best chance he has of ever being able to see.

And, on Monday, they will fly from Manchester to New Delhi, via Dubai, where Connor will be treated by Dr Himanshu Bansal, a consultant in regenerative medicine and stem cell research.

Connor, who will receive his treatment at one of two hospitals in the city, will have three to five procedures involving the injection of bone marrow taken from his hip to the area around his eyes and spine.

"He will never regain full sight; what this therapy does is bring injured cells back to life, but it is definitely worth doing and at least we will have tried," said Nathan.

His parents have been told Connor, who also has cerebral palsy, will be treated as an outpatient and is to expect to have to stay in India for up to six weeks.

Nathan, 27, carried out extensive research on the internet and was prepared to take Connor anywhere in the world to receive the treatment, not available on the NHS.

They hope the treatment will also have a regenerative result on cells damaged by the cerebral palsy, which affects his motor skills.

Connor was born on November 26 at Airedale Hospital by caesarean section, but was transferred to Leeds General Infirmary after doctors diagnosed fluid on the brain. He suffered a slight brain haemorrhage and was also diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

When he was just 23 days old, doctors inserted a permanent shunt, which regulates the pressure on his brain by acting as a valve and taking the fluid to his stomach.

At his eight-week check, it was discovered that his eyes were not working as they should and further checks revealed damage to the optic nerves and optic atrophy.

Because of his condition, Nathan and Lisa have been unable to insure Connor for the trip and are very much aware they are taking a step into the unknown.

"I've done as much research as I can, I've talked to Dr Bansal's assistant and he will meet us in the hotel to discuss the procedure before we go ahead," said Nathan.

"If I'm unsure about anything at any time, we shall just come home," he added.

Meanwhile, Nathan, a paint sprayer at Skipton Ford, has been told to take as much time off work as needed.

And he and Lisa are forever grateful to the support of all those who helped raise the money to make Connor's treatment possible.

"Work has been brilliant, and we just want to thank everyone for helping us out," he said.

Nathan and Lisa will have to continue fundraising to pay for future treatments and for any adaptations to their home. They have a Facebook page, HelpConnor, which contains a link to PayPal: helpconnor@yahoo.com