Stepping up fundraising efforts as Austin turns four

Christmas Day is Austin Vearing's fourth birthday.

He entered the world prematurely at 30 weeks and was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Related: 'We need your help' - Castlemaine boy's wish to walk

Austin's parents, Kat and Julian Vearing, are hopeful surgery will better enable him to walk independently and boost his quality of life.

But the family will have to travel to the United States of America for the procedure.

The Vearings are seeking to raise $97,000 to cover the costs of surgery and rehabilitative equipment.

A GoFundMe appeal has raised about $20,000.

Story continues below embedded Facebook post, which contains a video

'Go 4k for Austin's Birthday' is one of a number of fundraising activities planned between now and June, when Austin is booked for surgery.

The Vearings have invited people to take part in a four-kilometre walk or run, to be conducted in their own communities tomorrow.

Activities can take place at any time throughout the day, with donations to be made via the GoFundMe appeal.

More news: This is how long it took to create a winning Christmas lights display

Mrs Vearing said word of the walk had been spreading, and the fundraising tally was rising.

"For something so close to Christmas it's actually been doing quite well," she said.

She said people had been taking ownership of the initiative.

Central Vic Performance Centre, which Mrs Vearing attends, was among those arranging their own walk.

"I've had someone else who made us a raffle recently and drove that," Mrs Vearing said.

"We're just blown away by people, really."

To donate, visit gofundme.com/f/austins-wish-to-walk