Chair cheer for girl denied cash by councillors

Mar 18 2008 By Paul Bradley

A DISABLED Worcestershire youngster who was denied funding by councillors was given a boost after a charity stepped in to give her a much-needed car seat.

Hannah Dodd, aged eight, of Brockhill, was born with trisomy mosaic 9, which left her with physical and learning difficulties.

To help her travel safely to hospital for her treatment, her parents appealed to Worcestershire County Council for funding for a car seat.

But bosses refused to help the family, insisting they did not have to provide car seats because they were not "essential equipment".

Now kind-hearted bosses at electrical retailer Apollo 2000 have donated the £400 car seat to the family.

Christopher Strange, of children's charity BDF Newlife, said: "For families with a disabled child the cost can be huge. Families who need to buy a normal car seat are looking at spending about £50, but specialised car seats start from about £400 and can cost £2,000 or more."

Campaigner, Claire Dangerfield, said that more should be done to help children in Hannah's situation.

She said: "This is a cop-out - the allowance is about £45 a week.

"Sometimes, parents with disabled child are regularly forced to drive hundreds of miles to the nearest specialist children's hospital.

"How can the Government pass a law which says all able-bodied children under a certain age must be in car seats and yet not class seats as essential?"

A spokesman for Worcestershire County Council said: "Car seats are not classed as essential equipment, but families that need special seats can apply fro the Government's disabilities living allowance, which has a specific mobility section."