THE father of a seriously ill young girl whose plight has touched the hearts of many says she is already showing noticeable improvement just days after starting potentially life-changing treatment.

Three-year-old Ava Roberts has suffered from multiple seizures since she was a baby, severely limiting her development.

She is currently at the Adeli Medical Centre, in Piestany, Slovakia, where she is undergoing two weeks’ intensive treatment designed to stimulate her muscle growth.

Her parents, Mark and Judith Roberts, from Nettlesworth, County Durham, hope the care will help Ava sit unaided for the first time.

Speaking from Slovakia, Mr Roberts said although the family, which also includes Ava’s older sister Molly, had found the trip very hard at first, the treatment was going very well and some improvements to Ava’s condition were already noticeable.

On her blog, Mrs Roberts said Ava was following a very structured timetable, but there was variety and flexibility.

“I like it for lots of reasons, the main being that Ava will know what is happening to her day,” she wrote.

The family is due to return home next week.

The For Ava’s Intensive Therapy Hope (Faith) campaign has met with a huge outpouring of public support.

Relatives, friends and others raised £4,000 in just a few weeks to pay for the Slovakian trip, having already raised £12,000 in five months last year to send her for similar treatment at Therapies 4 Kids, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.

Fundraising is already underway to send Ava back to Slovakia for further treatment twice a year.

A major charity ball is planned for Durham County Cricket Ground on Saturday, November 15, to mark her Ava’s fourth birthday.

For more information on the Faith campaign, visit facebook.com/foravasintensivetherapyhope2013

To read Mrs Roberts’ blog visit babyavasmiraclejourney.blogspot.co.uk, or follow her at twitter.com/KS4amour