A seven-year-old girl suffering from cerebral palsy is just a few steps away from making the walk of her life.

Vickie Bristow's parents were told their daughter would be confined to a wheelchair for life when she was born.

Now the brave Basildon youngster can take seven steps and stand on her own, thanks to Hungarian physiotherapists in London who have treated her for the past three years.

Doctors have now said Vickie is on the verge of being able to walk just like other children - if she has intense physiotherapy in Budapest this summer.

The race is on to raise £5,000 to send brave Vickie on the three-week trip in August.

Mum, Mandy, of Pinmill, Basildon, said: "I would love it if Vickie could eventually walk like other children do. "It's an opportunity of a lifetime.

"Vickie really does want to walk and is putting everything she can into it.

Vickie's family has already raised £2,200 through bootsales and other fundraising efforts.

Anyone who thinks they can help should call Mandy on 01268 525542.

How it's done - Vickie gives a demonstration.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.