A CHARTERED accountancy firm held a special charity day to raise funds for a toddler who is defying doctors by learning to walk.

Liyla Cooper, from Droitwich, was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome, a complex disorder which primarily affects the nervous system, with sufferers usually unable to walk or talk.

However, following several physiotherapy sessions paid for through crowdfunding and other fundraisers, the three-year-old took her first unaided steps last month.

Ormerod Rutter, off Kidderminster Road, Droitwich, held a charity day on April 18, organised by Liyla's grandmother Carol Cooper, a personal assistant at the firm, raising £677.

Staff donated £577 through cake sales, raffles and a dressing down collection, while clients Crew-a-la-Mode gave £100.

Various other companies also provided gifts for the raffle.

Liyla, who attended with her brother Oscar, seven, was also presented with a blue Ormerod Rutter teddy bear, made specially by a staff member, at the event.

Mrs Cooper told the Worcester News her colleagues have "all fallen in love" with Liyla.

"They all want to see videos and hear about how she’s doing,” she added.

Parents Monika and Shaun Cooper launched a crowdfunding campaign earlier this year which has raised over £2,000 to pay for private treatment, with their daughter already walking.

Mrs Cooper, originally from Poland, said: "It's absolutely amazing, we never thought we would get there. Obviously the physio is working."

Liyla's therapist visits her nursery once a week and has told her parents she will learn to walk properly and completely unaided if she perseveres.

Following the original diagnosis over a year ago, Liyla had private physiotherapy sessions while visiting Poland which her mum said had a positive impact.

However, on the NHS, she can only have sessions every few months, but Mrs Cooper felt this would hinder her chances of walking on her own.

Mr and Mrs Cooper had originally taken Liyla to the doctors as she didn’t seem to be developing at the same rate as their first child, Oscar, had.

See justgiving.com/crowdfunding/monika-cooper