Who would have thought a simple childhood pleasure could change a family’s life forever?

Clambering up and down a climbing frame is something we’ve all done for fun, and probably without sparing a thought for our safety But in June 2010, Bel Young fell off a climbing frame in a neighbour’s garden and broke her neck. The youngster, who was eight at the time, spent nine months in intensive care.

Bel is quadriplegic and dependent on a ventilator for her breathing. Her recovery has been a slow process, but her electric wheelchair has given her a greater degree of independence.

According to proud mum Vanessa, Bel, who turns 11 this month, is a fighter. “She really struggled in the first few weeks after the accident, but she kept going,” she says.

“She is a fighter and has the most amazing spirit. She inspires me on a daily basis with such a smile and such grace and determination, and it makes it so much easier for us to adopt that attitude and get on.”

Bel’s determination has proved an inspiration to many, not least the Countess of Wessex. Bel presented the Countess with a posy when she opened Leeds Children’s Hospital at Leeds GeneralInfirmary where Bel was treated after the accident.

Vanessa says the circumstances of Bel’s accident captured people’s imaginations, especially those with children.

“Everybody with children understands they allow them to go on climbing frames without a second thought and I think that is one of the reasons why everybody has rallied and come together to help us,” says Vanessa.

She refers to the many fundraising initiatives held in Bel’s honour such as the cycle ride Bel’s father, Simon, participated in.

“It is quite overwhelming the response we have had. Everybody naturally responded in terms of wanting to do something to help,” says Vanessa. “She has touched a lot of people’s hearts.”

Sophie Eddleston became familiar with the family when they lived in Skipton . Her eldest daughter, Grace, went to Otley Street Nursery School, which has also fundraised for Bel, with Vanessa’s son, Harry.

Sophie recalls that she was eight months pregnant with her fourth child when the accident happened. “It affected me quite deeply,” she says. “All I can think of is how easily it can happen. It doesn’t occur to you this can happen.”

Meeting Bel and seeing how plucky she is and how she has adapted inspired Sophie. Attending some of the fundraising functions for Bel also gave Sophie the impetus to set up a challenge herself.

Through her nursing background, Sophie had the foresight to know what lies ahead. Her idea to ‘raise a mountain of money’ in 12 months by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro will help fund essential equipment and adaptations Bel and her family need at their home.

Sophie already had experience of climbing Africa’s highest peak at 5,896m. “I knew what a challenge it was,” she says.

She and her pals – mums Rachel Jones, Joanne Booth and Heidi Marfitt from the Skipton area – decided to first undergo two locally-based challenges for the fundraising initiative they named Boots on for Bel.

On September 9, the fundraisers will be accompanied by Vanessa when they step out on a 20-mile walk around Harrogate, and in June next year they will climb Yorkshire’s three peaks – a training opportunity for the attempt to climb Kilimanjaro next September.

Sophie hopes to inspire other women to join in the challenges. “To be able to meet this little girl is so inspiring, especially if you have got children, but even if you haven’t, you will still be inspired by her. It gives you the opportunity to do something for somebody else and you know you will be helping a family whose life has changed forever.”

•For more information, or to join in the fundraising challenges, e-mail sophie.bootsonforbel@hotmail.com.