A LITTLE girl with severe health problems is on her way to taking her first steps, thanks to a fundraising drive for a piece of equipment.

The Black Notley community joined forces to raise money for a specially-made tricycle for Amy Bennett.

The four-year-old, who was born prematurely, has fluid on the brain, chronic lung disease, limited speech and cannot walk.

Retired drag queen Derek Brown led the charity drive which raised £1,300 for the trike as well as £1,800 for Brainwave, a charity which provides therapy for Amy.

There was also money left over for family days out and two years of therapy reassessment costs.

Mum Julie, 38, said the trike, designed to improve her daughter’s mobility and posture, is already helping.

She has started to use props to pull herself up, the first stage of beginning to learn to walk.

Mrs Bennett, of Denton Crescent, Black Notley, said: “Now her confidence has grown and she does it all the time and she starts to pull herself up to the meal table, and any opportunity really she stands herself up.

“It is fantastic.”