A CASTLEMAINE boy and his family have their sights set on the United States after raising more than $100,000 for life-changing surgery.
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Four-year-old Austin Vearing is scheduled to undergo a selective dorsal rhizotomy in St Louis, Missouri, in early June.
His parents, Kat and Julian Vearing, hope the surgery will dramatically change and improve Austin's life.
Austin has cerebral palsy, which affects the muscles in his legs and his left hand.
It is hoped the surgery will reduce muscle spasticity, enable Austin to walk independently, and reduce pain.
The Vearings have been fundraising for the surgery and for equipment to support Austin post-procedure.
With roughly two months until their planned departure for the USA, the Vearings have exceeded their $97,000 fundraising goal.
"We are so stoked - so impressed. It has totally blown our expectations," Mrs Vearing said.
More than $41,000 has been donated to the family's Go Fund Me campaign, which was launched in June last year.
A 100-kilometre off-road bike ride on Saturday raised more than $66,000.
"People are still donating. It's been amazing," Mrs Vearing said.
"It means we can go overseas without any financial stress and support Austin and we can go as a family so that we're all together."
People's generosity also meant the family had a bit of a buffer if COVID-19 restrictions meant they had to stay in the USA for longer than anticipated.
Any additional funds would go towards Austin's rehabilitation therapy, Mrs Vearing said.
With the pressure off fundraising, the family can get into the "nitty gritty" of booking flights and securing an exemption to travel.
Mrs Vearing wanted to say a "really, really, REALLY big thank-you" to all who had supported the campaign.
"I don't think there are even words to say the kind of thank-you we want to say," she said.
"People have been able to give [Austin] a quality of life he wouldn't be able to have if we don't go do this surgery.
"It's this amazing gift people are giving us."
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