WITH her wide smile and sparkling eyes, Savannah West looks like a typical happy baby.

But behind her cheerful demeanour lies a painful daily battle against an unknown illness which is having a drastic impact on her life.

Seventeen-month-old Savannah suffers from frequent seizures, struggles to see and her tiny muscles are so weak that she is unable to even sit up unaided.

But despite frequent visits to hospital, her parents, Kelly Lapping, 30, and Richard West, 33, of Collin Avenue, east Hull, have been told they may never know what has made their daughter so ill.

"We are just completely in the dark," said Kelly.

"Not knowing what is wrong with her makes it so much worse."

Although Savannah has undergone a series of tests, including brain scans, the cause of her symptoms remains unknown.

Kelly and Richard were first aware that something was wrong when Savannah was born with a bowel problem.

She was also severely visually impaired and soon developed hypotonia, which is muscle weakness.

To help stimulate Savannah, her family have developed a sensory room at their home, with different coloured bright lights and a bubble machine.

However, they want to add a projector and a texture board.

They also want to buy her a new specially-adapted wheelchair.

To help with the costs of adding to Savannah's sensory room, Kelly Lapping's friend Andrea Brewer has organised a fun day at The Barham Hotel, on Marfleet Lane, east Hull.

It takes place tomorrow to raise money for the family.

The event will include an auction of a Hull City shirt signed by centre back Liam Cooper.

The fundraiser will be held at The Barham Hotel from 2pm.