A NINE-YEAR-OLD girl whose brain tumour means she regularly has to journey long distances to receive treatment is now able to travel in safety and comfort, thanks to the provision of a new specialist car seat.

Layla-Mae Cummings, from Barry, was diagnosed at just four-years-old with a brain tumour which causes her to have frequent seizures. Since then, she has received much of her treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and as such spends much of her time journeying between there and Barry.

Due to her condition, car journeys could often be stressful times for the family, but a charity's donation of her new car seat is helping to change that for the family.

Layla-Mae’s mum, Claire Cummings, said: "We do a lot of travelling by car, backwards and forwards to London where Layla-Mae has regular appointments at Great Ormond Street Hospital. She had surgery 18 months ago but the tumour is re-growing and there is always the concern that her seizures – which were up to 35 a day at one point – will become more frequent again.

"The new car seat moulds to her body shape, so it not only keeps her safe but means she is comfortable too. And she feels very grown-up as it doesn’t look like a traditional children’s car seat.

"Layla-Mae loves to feel hugged, so this particular design of car seat also meets her sensory needs and means she is calm and relaxed."

Layla-Mae's family contacted Newlife, a charity for disabled children, for help with her predicament – and thanks to the funding support of fashion store chain River Island, Layla-Mae now has the £643 piece of equipment she needs.

The equipment was recommended by Layla-Mae’s occupational therapist who also suggested the family appeal to Newlife.

Ms Cummings added: "When we found out the price of the car seat we were choking a little bit, so to get this response from Newlife is wonderful. We have struggled for several years to get any real support for Layla-Mae, so it’s a relief to know there is an organisation that can help. Our thanks go, too, to River Island."

Newlife are currently supporting a further three families in the Vale of Glamorgan, whose equipment needs total in excess of £8,400. The charity are currently seeking additional donations to help fund their work in supporting disabled children, which you can contribute to by visiting their website at: www.newlifecharity.co.uk/valeofglamorgan.

Alternatively, contact the Newlife Supporter Relations Team on 01543 462777 or email: local@newlifecharity.co.uk.