Generous donation saves Doncaster family in desperate need of help for disabled daughter

Scarlett Barrass’ family, from Thorne, have been provided with a specialist buggy by Newlife to keep the two-year-old with cerebral palsy safe after their local statutory and health services were unable to help.

Newlife is the leading charity supplier of specialist equipment for disabled and terminally ill children around the UK.

Scarlett contracted a virus while in the womb and was born with a smaller sized head, hearing loss, and delays in her development. She is unable to sit up by herself or hold up her own head, suffers from daily seizures and has uncontrollable muscle spasms, and stiff and tight muscles.

Her mum, Alicia Bell, 22, said: "A regular buggy just didn’t give her the support she needed, she was getting really upset.

"It was stopping us from being able to go out as a family because we knew she was getting quite uncomfortable.”

Alicia and Scarlett’s dad Jake, a 28-year-old laser technician manager, were told by their healthcare professional that despite her daily struggles, their daughter does not meet the criteria for specialist equipment as she is under three. The family’s occupational therapist has appealed the decision.

Alicia, who works as a buyer for a steel company in Scunthorpe, said: “The specialist buggy from Newlife has made such a huge difference to our lives. She is so happy and comfortable in her buggy that I know I can take her out for longer and to more places for day trips.

“She has never been able to sleep before in a buggy as she would be so upset and uncomfortable, but now she falls asleep so easily when I walk around with her and can really relax."

Before the specialist equipment loan from Newlife, Jake and Alicia were forced to prop Scarlett up in her buggy with towels to try and help her sit up properly without her head flopping forward.

The couple now want to return the favour to the struggling charity, which lost more than £3 million in income during the first lockdown.

Newlife needs £32,761 to help 32 children across Yorkshire and the Humber.

To donate visit https://newlife.support/thebiggive. All donations will be match-funded until 8 December.