Brave Hayley Finch has turned to pedal power as part of a fundraising drive to give her more independence.

Meanwhile, a new drug treatment is helping to transform the life of the Shipley ten-year-old, who has brittle bone disease.

A simple knock or fall can break Hayley's bones. She has suffered more than 150 fractures and uses a wheelchair much of the time.

Earlier the Telegraph & Argus reported how Keith and Pauline Blythe, friends of Hayley's parents, Paul and Carol, were planning to run a prize draw in a bid to raise £20,000 for a specially-adapted people carrier and a new powered wheelchair.

Lack of space in the family car means Hayley can only take a normal wheelchair on holiday - but the new vehicle would be able to hold an electric wheelchair, and let Hayley get around on her own.

Now Hayley has helped boost the appeal herself with a sponsored bike ride round the playground at her school, Low Ash Primary in Wrose.

Hayley's mother Carol, of Wrose, Shipley, said: "She wanted to buy a prize for the draw from her own money but I suggested she do something herself and she came up with the idea for the sponsored ride. She's had her bike about a year and loves riding as it's something she can do with everyone else. She's had pledges for about £450. I'm really proud of her for wanting to put something towards the appeal herself.''

Hayley said: "I did 12 laps of the playground, which is about a mile and the furthest I've ever ridden. I just wanted to put some money into the vehicle myself so went round getting people to sponsor me for the ride.''

Mrs Finch said Hayley was progressing well after becoming one of the first children in the country to receive regular doses of Pamidronate. The drug, which strengthens her bones, reduces fractures and eases pain is part of her treatment at the Children's Hospital in Sheffield.

She said: "She's not had a break for four or five weeks now which is the longest she's gone over the past two or three years, when she's being having about one a fortnight. She can now walk a lot more, which means she's also building up her muscles.

"She has even started to play out away from our garden which she hasn't been able to do before.''

Hayley said: "I'm really pleased because I'm walking more and more and haven't had to have a pot on for ages.''