A 12-year-old boy has raised hundreds of pounds with a series of events after being touched by the story of a young girl who was paralysed in a freak accident.

Bel Young, nine, fell from a climbing frame and broke her neck, which left her unable to move her arms and legs and needing a ventilator to breathe.

After a year in hospital Bel, from Ilkley, in West Yorkshire, is back home with her family, thanks to a fundraising campaign, the Being Bel Trust, to buy the equipment and help she needs for her ongoing care.

The campaign has been boosted by Joe Keegan, a pupil at Cundall Manor School, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, who was so touched by her tale that he started fundraising for the trust.

Joe has raised almost £1,000 by taking part in a sponsored swim, an off-road bike ride, and by holding cake stalls at his school.

His mother, Debbie, said Joe had heard about Bel’s plight as she is the goddaughter of a parent at his school.

She said: "I am very proud of him. He is a very special little boy.

"When he heard about Bel he told me that he wanted to do something to help and he took part in a number of fundraising activities, including getting up at 5am to bake 100 buns to sell at school.

"When he met Bel he pulled up a chair to chat to her and he had planned what he wanted to talk to her about and put a lot of thought into it."

Bel’s family are appealing for funds to help with her ongoing treatment.

Anyone who wants to help should contact Mrs Young at nessyoung@live.com