A BRAIN tumour has left 12-year-old Bailey Coppack deaf in one ear.

But now, the Department of Health has agreed to fund treatment in the United States to save her hearing.

The Mirfield girl will undergo ground-breaking radiotherapy, which is not available in the UK.

Her mum, Lisa Coppack, received a phone call from doctors on Wednesday night to let her know they had got the go-ahead.

Lisa said: “We got the call from St James’ Hospital in Leeds to say they have been granted the funding for Bailey’s treatment.

“And we will be going to the ProCure Proton Therapy Centre in Oklahoma.

“We are not entirely sure when the treatment will be but we anticipate that we will head out at the end of May.

“It is such a relief; it means that she will save her hearing in her left ear.

“Bailey loves her music, and we hope that it might even help shrink the tumour slightly.

“It has also affected her co-ordination and can make her a little wobbly.

“Bailey will actually only be in the hospital having treatment for 45 minutes and the proton therapy actually only takes around five minutes.

“It is likely that she will lose some of her hair.

“Bailey will have to be at the centre for between eight and 12 weeks.

“It’s all very fresh right now so we have to start planning the trip.

Lisa and her partner Graham Ellis, Bailey’s 10-year-old sister Ellie Coppack and two-year-old half-brother Jamie Ellis, will go to Oklahoma for the first part of the treatment.

Bailey’s dad, Damian Coppack, stepmother Sue Coppack and half-brother Willem, will join her for the second part.

Bailey was diagnosed with a brain tumour after suddenly collapsing one day in 2008.

Doctors have tried twice to operate and remove the tumour – but each time it has grown back.

As the tumour is wrapped around her brain stem, specialists are worried the usual forms of radiotherapy, available in the UK could paralyse her and stunt her ability to learn.

On her return from America, the Castle Hall School pupil will have regular MRI scans and IQ tests

The family have been busy fundraising for the trip and have welcomed support from Huddersfield Town, where Bailey was the mascot earlier this month.

Lisa continued: “We have had unbelievable support from the community and so far have raised around £10,500.

“There is still more to come in from the Huddersfield Town game in March and the teachers at Bailey’s school, Castle Hall, are doing a sky dive on May 12.

“The school has been unbelievably understanding and has told us just to ask if Bailey needs any extra help. They have been absolutely brilliant and we are so grateful.

“Similarly on May 12, the Pear Tree in Mirfield has organised a charity football match and a race evening, details will follow soon.”