Night-time falls are a thing of the past for little Amelia Kenealy, thanks to the emergency loan of a specialist bed to keep her safe.

Six-year-old Amelia, from Roath in Cardiff, has Down’s Syndrome and learning disabilities. She was sleeping in a standard cot, but was able to pull herself over the sides which resulted in a fall and subsequent hospital visit. Mum Katherine Kenealy said: “I was worried she would have a serious accident.”

She added: “Amelia sleeps in the same room as me because I like to keep a close eye on her, but she pulled herself up on the cot bars and fell over the top while I was getting my son out of the bath.”

What Amelia urgently needed was a specialist high-sided bed, and with no funding available from local statutory services the family turned to Newlife, the charity for disabled children, for help.

Newlife is the UK’s largest charity provider of specialist equipment for children with disabilities and terminal illness.

Thanks to Newlife’s Emergency Equipment Loan service, Amelia now has the bed she needs.

Katherine said: “The loan bed is definitely keeping her safe; that, combined with a monitor to check her breathing which was also supplied by Newlife, has taken a huge weight off my shoulders.”

Newlife is the only nationwide emergency equipment loan service in the UK, offering a rapid response – often within 72 hours – for families of life limited and terminally ill children and those sleeping in unsafe environments, like Amelia. Loans of equipment are for around six months, while Newlife works with local statutory services to secure provision. If this isn’t possible,

Newlife can look to provide permanent provision through its Equipment Grant service.

The charity has supported 118 disabled and terminally ill children in Cardiff – and is currently working with a further 13 families in the city with equipment needs totalling £35,605. To find out how you could help, go to: www.newlifecharity.co.uk/cardiff. Alternatively, contact the Newlife County Liaison Team on 01543 431 444, email local@newlifecharity.co.uk.

Newlife guarantees that 100 per cent of monies donated or fundraised in Cardiff will be used to specifically help children with disabilities and terminal illness in the city.

Pictured: Amelia Kenealy

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