A trust fund set up for a terminally-ill four-year-old has raised £5,500 in little more than a month.

Holly Clarke's parents say they are overwhelmed by the level of support they have received since their story featured in the Telegraph & Argus.

Shirelle and Darren Clarke, of Derwent Road, Bolton, Bradford, told how suffering from rare Batten's disease means Holly cannot walk or talk, suffers failing eyesight and has the mental age of a baby.

There is no cure for the genetic disease which they know will lead to an early death for their daughter.

They have launched a trust fund called the Holly Clarke Batten's Trust which they hope will raise money to buy specialist equipment for Holly and enable them to go on the holiday of a lifetime.

Fundraising events across the district included a car wash by Keighley firefighters which raised £600.

Kelly Carnforth, 19, of Laceby Close, Idle, raised £1,075 for Holly with a sponsored bungee jump at the Conniston pub in Idle.

There have also been individual donations, including a cheque for £1,000 and many more events are planned.

The family, which includes ten-year-old Daniel, have already bought a caravan which they are using to take Holly away for weekends before she loses her eyesight entirely.

They also hope to build a safe play area outside at their home and furnish it with toys that are suitable for Holly.

A holiday to Disneyland Paris is also planned, so Holly can go away with her grandfather and nan, who has terminal cancer.

"It will be lovely as they have been such a big part of her life," said Shirelle, 34.

She added: "The level of support has been overwhelming really. A lot of the people who are giving have never even met Holly. We have been taken aback by that."

Donors can send a cheque made payable to the Holly Clarke Batten's Trust, c/o Malcolm Bright and Son, Castlefields Industrial Estate, Crossflatts, Bingley, BD16 2AG.

Fundraising volunteers can call Shirelle and Darren on (01274) 636995.

e-mail: claire.lomax

@bradford.newsquest.co.uk