The father of Holly Clarke has made a batch of calendars to raise money to fight his daughter's terminal illness.
Holly has been battling Batten's Disease, which leads to the progressive deterioration of the brain and nervous system, for two years and she has already lost most of her sight and speech and cannot walk by herself.
The six-year-old's parents, Darren and Shirelle, of Grove House, Bradford, set up a trust fund to buy equipment to make Holly's life easier after she was diagnosed and hope the 2006 calendars will help to boost the appeal.
Darren has produced the calendar, which features photographs of his daughter, by printing out each page on his home computer and binding them by hand.
Mr Clarke, 35, said: "Holly has had her medicine changed quite radically. She is smiling all the time now and laughing and giggling. She is a lot happier. She was very mute before and now she is very vocal. She is making a lot of noises and about a week ago, she said 'yes'.
"We thought her eyesight had practically gone but she does have peripheral vision so she can see things at certain angles. If you move your hand around she will look around. Her legs are strong and her teeth are coming through."
Holly's parents were devastated when she was diagnosed with the disease in 2004 but they were offered a ray of hope when their little girl was approved to trial a pioneering treatment in New York following vigorous assessment.
They were due to fly to the States for the treatment last year but suffered a further blow when they learned Holly's disease had progressed and she was too ill to take part in the trials of the potentially life-saving treatment.
"We did not do a great deal last year because of everything that happened," said Darren, who is a trainee driving instructor. "There has been a lot of joy and a lot of misery. But we are hoping to take off in a big way this year. Last year was up and down but now we are feeling upbeat.
"We had no response and no noises from Holly for so long while she was on other medicine to control the fits but now she is picking herself up. She still understands everything and she can hear everything we say."
The Holly Clarke Battens Appeal received a New Year boost when it was chosen as Eccleshill's Fitness First's designated charity for 2006.
The fund has raised more than £30,000 since it was set up and has helped to pay for a dream holiday to Disneyland Paris, accommodation in New York when Holly was being screened for the treatment and for specialist equipment, which needs to be updated as Holly grows.
The calendars, costing £5, are available from Darren Clarke on 07958 063276.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article