THE balloons tied to the back of the trike say it all as three-year-old Kaysie Bland and her mum Jane say a heartfelt thank you to Dudley News readers.

As Kaysie proudly rides her new pink and purple disability trike, mum Jane Robinson looks fondly at her daughter enjoying herself like any other toddler her age.

But Kaysie suffers from the incurable brain disorder cerebral palsy as well as epilepsy, which means she can not walk, talk, crawl or even eat on her own.

The Dudley News launched an appeal two months ago to help improve Kaysie's lifestyle and to date more than £3,000 has been raised by kindhearted readers.

A delighted Jane said: "Everyone has been so generous, I can't thank everyone enough, it means so much."

The doting mum hopes to put the money towards a standing frame to help with Kaysie's first steps, a specialist car seat and a trip to a children's feeding clinic in Austria where she hopes Kaysie will learn to feed herself.

Jane currently has to tube feed her daughter three times a day.

Many fundraising events have been arranged around Dudley since the appeal was launched, with The Old Foundry pub raising £786.27 by holding a raffle and a tribute band night, all who performed for free.

The Ozzy Osbourne tribute has also pledged to hold a gig for Kaysie later in the year.

The Ellen Vale singers presented Jane with a cheque for £500 at their annual concert which was held on Wednesday May 16 and Netherbrook Primary School raised £200 through cake sales and raffles.

Kaysie's 11-year-old cousin Michael Robinson will also be lending his support to the appeal by joining forces with pals at Brierley Hill swimming club and completing a sponsored swim on Sunday June 3 to raise money for a sensory corner in Kaysie's bedroom.

To donate to the appeal send cheques payable to Kaysie Bland to Kaysie Bland Appeal, Dudley News, St John's House, St John's Road, Stourbridge, DY8 1EH.