Devoted Glasgow granny Carol Robertson is spearheading a fundraising campaign to help a children’s disability charity provide vital specialist equipment for her six-year-old grand-daughter Amy.

Amy, who lives in the Hillington area of the city, has the rare genetic brain condition lissencephaly which has resulted in developmental delay, muscle weakness and a visual impairment. She urgently needs a specialist sleeping environment so she has somewhere to keep her safe at night.

The cost of the equipment – £7,100 – prompted the family to contact Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children for help. Newlife already has £2,366 towards the bed, but still requires £4,732.

Carol, her daughter Amanda Robertson and friend Anne Love have organised a charity fundraising night on Saturday 19 November at The Old Govan Arms in Govan Road, Govan Road, Glasgow.

Carol said: “The Govan Arms is well known for its fundraising events to help local causes. Now we are urging people to come along on November 19th and help us raise funds to help my wee Amy. We have worked really hard to put this event together. We’ve got signed football strips from local teams Celtic and Rangers for auction on the night and lots of local hotels and restaurants have donated prizes for a raffle. Entry to the event is free, and there’ll be entertainment laid on. We hope lots of people will join us for a great night out – and help us help Newlife fund the bed for Amy.”

Mum Amanda Robertson says: “Amy is still sleeping in a baby cot but she now fills the length of it and keeps getting her legs trapped in the bars. It’s a real safety concern – I’m worried she will end up breaking a leg. But she can’t sleep in a regular bed because that would put her at risk too.”

Amanda says she has had to move home twice because of the noise that Amy makes at night – constantly rocking from side to side and banging on the cot. She said: “Amy doesn’t sleep very well and she can go on for hours. I am always afraid that she will harm herself, particularly her head.”

Although she hasn’t yet suffered any injuries, Amy’s occupational therapist has recommended a safe sleeping environment – called a SafeSpace – to resolve the safety concerns, but there is no local statutory funding available. Which is why Amanda turned to Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children.

If you would like to help Amy, go to www.newlifecharity.co.uk/glasgowcity and click on the Donate button next to her story. Alternatively, contact the Newlife County Liaison Team on 01543 431 444, email local@newlifecharity.co.uk.

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

Amanda added: “The SafeSpace will be ideal for Amy in terms of safety as well as reducing noise levels because there will be nothing hard to bang against and mean peace of mind for me.”

Newlife has already helped provide specialist equipment for 68 children in Glasgow, at a cost of £108,599. If you think you could help Amy, go to www.newlifecharity.co.uk/glasgowcity
Newlife guarantees that 100 per cent of monies donated or fundraised in Glasgow will be used to specifically help children with disabilities and terminal illness in the city area. Any money raised surplus to requirements for Amy will be used to help other local children.

Pictured: Carol Robertson with grand-daughter Amy.

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