Isabella Ivy Ramsbottom suffered brain injuries when she was born. She was baptised when she was just two days old because she was not expected to survive.

She has spent most of her young life in Barnsley or Sheffield Children's hospitals, has undergone five operations, is partially sighted and suffers from athetoid cerebral palsy and autism.

But although Izzy, who will be three in April, is currently only capable of the behaviour and movements of a nine-month-old baby, her parents believe a place at the specialist Paces Centre in High Green, Sheffield, will give her the chance to develop.

So the couple, Andy and Sandra Ramsbottom, from Cudworth, Barnsley, have launched an appeal to fund her place at the conductive education centre.

Andy, aged 33, an IT manager, said: "All parents naturally want what is best for their children.

"Without a doubt Isabella has had a tough start to her life and time and time again we have been warned she might not make it, but she has always battled on.

"That is why we must give her the best possible chance to learn and develop to her full potential, and firmly believe the Paces centre is the only facility where that can happen.

"Izzy requires specialist education to give her any chance of achieving what we all take for granted – walking or standing, speaking or communicating in some other way.

"We have been told her condition is life-limiting and that makes us even more determined than ever to ensure she has the best possible chance of the best quality of life for as long as we have her.

"That is why we have launched this appeal and are determined to raise as much money as possible for her appeal."

Andy's colleagues at the South Yorkshire Pensions Authority and Joint Secretariat in Barnsley chose not to send Christmas cards last month and instead made a donation to the Isabella Ivy Ramsbottom appeal. A co-worker is running the Sheffield half marathon to raise funds.

Andy said: "No matter how ill she has been Izzy has never stopped fighting and neither will we. Izzy has a lovely personality and we must do everything possible to maximise her potential."

Log on to www.isabellaivy.co.uk