A CWMBRAN girl who was left bedridden after falling ill with flu-type symptoms has made significant improvements in the last two weeks and has even been walking with assistance.

Natasha Willard, 17, collapsed on December 7, leaving her unable to talk after doctors found that the virus had caused encephalitis, inflammation of the brain.

Her father, Robert, explained that her improvements had been minor until two weeks ago where she suddenly improved.

He said: “She has started to say words and even string short sentences together and has regained much of the use of her arms.

“With assistance, the hospital staff have had her walking and are working to strengthen her muscles.”

Previously fed through a tube, she has also started to eat foods. As previously reported, her family pleaded to the public for donations to cover the bus fare to the hospital as the family do not drive, and to pay for equipment for her.

The family set a target of £3,000 and Mr Willard said he had been “overwhelmed” by the public’s response, with them hitting their target within three months.

He said: “I never thought we would reach that amount but the whole community have been really supportive. I would like to thank everyone that supported us.”

The family purchased Miss Willard an iPad so that she can stay connected to her friends and family online while at Rookwood Hospital in Cardiff, and he explained that the games are helping to improve her coordination.

After falling ill, Miss Willard was admitted to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, where she remained unresponsive for three weeks.

The condition first came about after Miss Willard, who lives in Pontnewydd with Mr Willard, her mother, Kirsty, and two siblings, said she felt that she was coming down with flu on December 5.