BRADFORD golfers have helped ensure the safety of a young disabled girl with a fundraising push that helped provide the specialist equipment she needs.

Three-year-old Mia Brown, of Denholme, has multiple disabilities in the form of a brain condition called Hydrocelphalus and epilepsy, which mean she has not met many of the normal milestones of children's development.

It means she has no independent mobility and limited head control, which presented difficulties for her mum Michelle in taking her on car journeys because conventional children's safety seats did not meet her needs.

That's where East Bierley Golf Club stepped in, raising £1,500 last year with a range of activities towards the £1,922 cost of a specialist car seat, sourced via the Newlife Foundation.

Jan Kudelnitzky, of the club's charity fundraising committee, said: “We chose Newlife Foundation because we know of the important role that the organisation can play in supporting families who face many challenges in caring for a child with a disability or life limiting illness.

"We requested that the monies raised be used locally in West Yorkshire as this is one of the criteria that influences our choice of charity each year.

"We hope that through our efforts more families will become aware of the work of Newlife and feel motivated to apply for support and that more organisations will choose to support Newlife Foundation through charity fundraising.”

Mia's mum Michelle Brown said: “We had been using a standard car seat but every time I braked Mia would flop forward. I’d then have to lean over and put her back in place in the seat. Safety was a big issue.”

There is no state funding available for such equipment and the family went to Newlife for help because the charity had helped previously in supplying specialist sensory and developmental toys to help Mia's development.

Michelle said: “We have been using the new car seat since the middle of December – and it has made a vast improvement to Mia’s comfort and safety when travelling. Because it has a turntable base, it is much easier for us to get her in and out of the car.

“There is a five-point harness and extra head cushions so she doesn’t flop around any more and she looks so snug in the seat.”

There is no obligation for the health service or local authorities to help families transport disabled children in safety.

Instead, families have the option of applying for an exemption, allowing them to transport their children unsecured in cars.

Newlife is campaigning for a change in that legislation but in the meantime is also the largest provider of specialist car seats in the country.

Newlife Operations Manager Stephen Morgan said: “In 2014 we invested £64,275 in the care of disabled and terminally children in West Yorkshire through provision of specialist equipment like wheelchairs, buggies, beds, communication aids and car seats like this one for Mia.

"The increased demand on our services means we are calling on ‘local heroes’ like the members of East Bierley Golf Club to support our vital work. We are very grateful for their contribution.”