NORTHWICH Victoria Football Club has generously donated £1,000 to help fund a young fan's spinal surgery.

Olivia Buckley, 13, has severe scoliosis – a curvature of the spine – and today, Tuesday (August 17), she has flown out to Turkey for specialist surgery.

The young Northwich Vics supporter had been complaining of abdominal pains and leg ache, but this was presumed to be growing pains.

Recently Olivia fell down the stairs and after complaining of pain in her back, she attended A&E.

Olivia and her mum were shocked to be told that although she had not hurt herself, she did have scoliosis.

Olivia's mum, Angela, was advised that the only option in the UK for her daughter was to have her whole spine fused which will restrict her flexibility.

But as Olivia loves to sing and dance, Angela knew this was not an option.

Angela found an operation called vertebral body tethering, which is not available on the NHS but maintains flexibility.

Olivia is a candidate for the treatment, but as her condition is getting worse as she grows, the operation needs to be carried out soon.

Angela and Olivia, who live in Crewe but are Northwich Victoria supporters, have set up a Just Giving page in the hope of raising £47,000 to cover the cost of the surgery.

And the club is behind them all the way.

A spokesperson for the football club said: "Northwich Victoria Football Club are proud that our playing squad, management team and backroom staff have generously taken it upon themselves to donate £1,000 to a crowdfunding appeal for one of our young fans.

"Olivia, who is just 13, is raising money for a life-changing operation abroad after being diagnosed with severe scoliosis earlier this year.

"Olivia’s appeal was picked up by her favourite player, Jack Fleming, who quickly co-opted his team-mates to help out.

"With her mother Angela, who is the Vics’ club photographer, Olivia will be flying out to Turkey where specialist treatment is available with the pre-op happening on Thursday hopefully.

"Money can still be donated by going to the Just Giving website at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/livcurvedwingswillfly.

"The club would like to wish Olivia well in her surgery and we can't wait to welcome her back to the Vics family."