AN APPEAL has been launched to help a youngster from south Cumbria and other disabled children get crucial help.

Katie Jones, 4, is due to receive a specialist car seat worth over £2,000, but the charity funding the donation urgently needs help.

Katie, of Askam-in-Furness, has Lissencephaly and Infantile Spasms, a rare brain disorder causing epilepsy and a lack of body strength, meaning she requires additional support and round the clock care.

The new donation from Caudwell Children will mean Katie will have a specialist seat, which will give her support she requires to keep her safe during journeys, but also help the family reach important medical appointments which is a struggle at the moment.

So far £1,000 has been pledged by the Rumic Foundation Trust towards the cost of the chair.

But Caudwell Children say more funds are desperately needed for disabled youngsters like Katie and are urgently appealing for help from the local community.

Trudi Beswick, charity chief executive, said “The car seat, which is not available on the NHS, is crucial in helping Katie and her family in day-to-day life, but funds are running low and unless we get the support of the local community, donations like this will disappear.

“We are appealing for kind-hearted members of the public who may be able to fundraise or donate to Caudwell Children and help local families like Katie’s.”

Katie has to attend a number of medical appointments locally and at Manchester Children’s Hospital.

Mum Ann-Louise said: “Learning how expensive a car seat was going to cost for Katie was so disheartening.

“It was such a shock to find out something so important wasn’t available on the NHS. We didn’t know how we were going to get it.

“At the moment Katie has no head control and is unable to do anything for herself.”

To donate to the appeal visit www.justgiving.com/K-Jones
text KTJN55 £2 to 70070 or contact Mary Rose at Caudwell Children on 01782 600433.