A ten-year-old girl who was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour is now a third of the way through her pioneering cancer treatment in America.

Nicole Bowers, of Wibsey, has undergone 11 out of 33 proton therapy sessions at the ProCure Proton Therapy Centre in Oklahoma City.

Nicole had surgery in the UK to remove as much of the tumour as possible but because of its location on the cerebral core, not all of it was removed, which is why she needs proton therapy.

The treatment, which is not available in the UK, is more powerful and accurate than traditional radiotherapy and does not damage surrounding healthy tissue.

Keeping in touch with her friends, family and teachers at her school, St Michael and All Angels Primary School in Shelf, via Facebook, Nicole has revealed she is coping well with the treatment.

Her dad Tere Bowers, 51, said: “Her proton treatment takes place Monday to Friday evenings and lasts about half-an-hour.”

Nicole has to a wear a mask to prevent her moving during the treatment. “Once the mask is on, the edges wrap round the back of her head and are attached to the robo bed she lays on. This keeps her head absolutely still during treatment. She also lies on a custom-made mattress, which is moulded to her body.

“All of this is to make sure she lies in exactly the same position each time she has treatment. So far, she has had absolutely no side effects.”

The NHS is paying for Nicole’s treatment, but back home a team of fundraisers is ensuring the family has enough money for living costs.

An evening of music, disco and an auction takes place today, from 7.30pm at the Stone Chair Variety Club, Denholme Gate Road, Halifax.

Nicole’s brother Jordan, 14, last weekend took part in a sponsored bike ride from Shipley to Leeds with members of Dudley Hill U14s rugby league club team.

Her 23-year-old sister Robyn, who lives in London, is also planning events and yesterday there was a sponsored Zumbathon at All Saints Catholic College in Huddersfield Anyone who would like to donate can go into any branch of the Yorkshire Bank and ask for the Support Nicole account; sort code: 05-03-33; account number 30532247, or send cheques made payable to Support Nicole to Yorkshire Bank, 165 Toller Lane, BD8 9HW.