York schoolgirl Kelsie Copping is one of Britain's youngest victims of multiple sclerosis - at only seven years of age.

The Acomb youngster is in and out of hospital every couple of months when her illness flares, and she is unable to talk or walk properly.

Now a fund-raising campaign has been launched to send her on a magical visit to Disneyland Paris.

"I want her to have those happy wonderful memories if the worst were to come to the worst," said her mother Nanette, of Westfield Place.

Nanette and her husband Chris told today how Kelsie's devastating condition first began to emerge when she was only four.

Having been a lively healthy toddler, she began complaining of headaches and a poorly arm, said Nanette, 34.

When her eyes started rolling and she would not respond properly, she was rushed to York District Hospital, and the family's nightmare began.

Recurrent relapses have meant repeat visits to hospital in York and to Leeds General Infirmary.

An MRI scan and biopsy on Kelsie's brain two years ago showed lesions, or scars, and after repeated relapses, the left side of her body has become weaker than the right.

Nanette said that according to her consultant, Kelsie demonstrates the classic signs of an adult MS sufferer.

Her relapses occur when her brain swells for no known reason, affecting her central nervous system.

Kelsie - who has an older sister Naomi, nine, and brother Daniel, 12 - lost her sight in her right eye in a relapse and her mother wants to take her to Disneyland, in between relapses, in case any further loss becomes permanent.

Devoted Nanette, who is Kelsie's full-time carer, said she can feel isolated because her daughter has such a rare condition that she cannot share her concerns with other parents.

She added: "It's like living with a timebomb. We can't plan ahead because we never know whether Kelsie is going to relapse."

Kelsie, who attends the Northfields special needs school, off Beckfield Lane, when she is not ill, is currently in York hospital recovering from a ten-day relapse. Nanette said each relapse is taking longer for her to get over.

She said: "It's so hard when she's crying in pain and she can't tell us properly what's wrong. You can see the frustration in her face.

"We don't know what the future holds for us - there are no guarantees - we just try to enjoy Kelsie's good weeks."

According to a spokesman for the MS Society, Kelsie's case is very rare, with the condition more commonly diagnosed between the ages of 20 to 40.

If you would like to help raise money to send Kelsie and her family to Disneyland, contact Gill Blackburn at the Acorn sports and social club in Thanet Road (01904 330351) where friends are trying to raise money for the special trip.

Updated: 10:38 Friday, June 29, 2001