​IRON stars have thrown their weight behind a Scunthorpe Telegraph campaign to help a little boy walk for the first time.

Scunthorpe United Football Club was so touched by the plight of five-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer Dylan Storey that it has stepped in to help raise the £50,000 he needs for a life-changing operation in America.

The selective dorsal rhizotomy procedure, to be undertaken in St Louis, Missouri, would ease symptoms of his condition and also allow him to walk for the first time.

Dylan, of Bottesford, had his picture taken with the squad at Glanford Park and posters will now be produced and sold by the club to help boost the Dylan’s Dream fund. The club will also feature Dylan’s Dream in its matchday programme for a forthcoming game, while collection tins could also be organised for fans to make donations to the fund at one of the Iron’s home matches.

Club captain Cliff Byrne said: “It is important for us as a club and as players to support our local community.

“We see first-hand how we can help people and kids like Dylan, in the situation he is in.

“We can broaden the awareness and generate some more support. The benefits can only go a long, long way for him and his family.

“It is a difficult time at the moment for everybody financially but every little bit helps, so whatever we can generate will go a long way to reach the total to get him the treatment that he needs.”

He added: “We are very fortunate in the position we are in and if we can do anything that can encourage people to get on board and help with generating the money that will enable Dylan to go to America, it is good for him and the community.

“We can come together as one and it is a real family community at this football club and hopefully we can show that in our support.”

Dylan’s mum, Fi Storey, said her son had loved meeting the players.

She said: “He has had a brilliant time.

“I was quite shocked when I heard Scunthorpe United were going to back him and I am absolutely delighted. It is exciting.”

United’s commercial manager, Michelle Harness, said: “The players and management are delighted to get behind the Telegraph’s campaign to support Dylan. Hopefully, through the sale of these posters, which will be available at our ticket office and our other outlets, we will be able to make a difference.

“The players will also be looking at doing something as a team towards it.”

United’s support is a huge boost for the Telegraph’s Dylan’s Dream campaign, which was launched two weeks ago and has already raised around £4,000. Iron manager, Nigel Adkins, said: “It is fantastic to support the charity.”

A special Nat-West bank account has been set up for the fund.

Cheques should be made payable to Dylan Storey and paid to account number 48239593, with sort code 54-41-26. Alternatively, a Pay Pal account can take donations towards the fund. Details are available at www.dylansdream.co.uk