Eight-year-old Michaela Gautier put herself to the spell test to raise cash for the Bradford Millennium Scanner Appeal.

Michaela suffers from epilepsy but when her condition took a turn for the worse she was forced to wait nine months for a MRI scan.

Her family was left hanging on until the results of the scan - which gives unrivalled images of the brain - gave the all-clear.

Now Michaela, who has missed a lot of time in class at St John's CE First School, Tong Street, because of her condition, has scored 100 per cent success in a spelling test to raise a total of £114 for the T&A-backed campaign from sponsors including her family, friends and health staff.

Her mum Linda, of Holme Wood, Bradford, said she was delighted by her daughter's efforts.

She had been diagnosed with epilepsy but her condition worsened despite treatment and doctors at St Luke's Hospital decided she should have a MRI scan.

She had to wait nine months before an appointment could be made at St James's Hospital in Leeds.

"She really does realise the importance of having a scanner in Bradford," said Mrs Gautier.

"When she saw a poster for the appeal she decided she wanted to do something.

"She had been diagnosed with epilepsy but was having more seizures.

"They decided to give her a scan and it showed there were no tumours, fractures or bumps they didn't know about.

"The waiting was very hard - I kept thinking that if there was a tumour it would be nine months more down the line before they could start treating it. It was a great relief when she had the scan done.

"Her medication has been altered again and she still has a few seizures and absences but very slowly she is getting better.

"This was a good way of raising money and helping her education and the school has been really helpful.

"I'm really proud of her - she's put in a lot of hard work and she's absolutely thrilled at what she's raised."

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