A desperate mother has pleaded for help to get a specialist bed for her daughter whose complex behaviour issues have led to her flooding the house and hanging out of the bedroom window, leaving her family terrified she will injure herself.

Excessive statutory service delays have meant Gayle Busby, from Glasgow, has had no choice but to turn to Newlife the Charity for Disabled Children after being told there would be a long wait to get the equipment needed to keep her four-year-old daughter Mila-Rose Busby safe.

Mila-Rose has complex behavioural issues, development delay and suspected autism which have led her to flooding the house one night – putting her at risk of drowning, and even climbing up and hanging outside the window. She also bangs her head against hard surfaces which is shockingly dangerous.

Without a specialist bed, there is no end in sight for Mila-Rose’s fight to be safe at night, while her family are extremely concerned for her safety, especially when other members of the family are asleep.

It can take her until 2am or 3am to fall asleep, and she will regularly wake up in the middle of the night despite taking prescribed medication to help her sleep.

Despite wanting to buy a specialist bed for Mila-Rose that she can’t cope without, Newlife is facing huge financial pressures as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and must raise £4,985 needed, so has launched an urgent appeal for the local community to help.

Anyone able to help Mila-Rose should urgently contact Newlife on 01543 431 444, click here or email fundraise@newlifecharity.co.uk. 

Gayle said: “Mila-Rose is an extreme danger to herself. She has no limitations and is very active and agile. She likes to squeeze into tight spaces, escape and sometimes gets stuck, particularly during the night. I can’t get to sleep because I’m worried about her hurting herself.

“If she can get into the bathroom then she’ll flood the house and once when she was staying away from home with family she broke out of the house and the police brought her home. It’s awful.

“Mila-Rose used to be such a happy child but now she gets so frustrated, angry and upset. It’s non-stop – as a family we don’t really get a break and constantly get limited sleep. A new bed would mean we can go to sleep at night knowing she’s not going to hurt herself.”

Newlife is the leading charity supplier of specialist equipment for disabled and terminally ill children around the UK. It has been providing grants of equipment including specialist beds, seats, buggies and car seats to keep children safe and improve their quality of life for 30 years.

Funding this equipment for Mila-Rose will give her a safe space to sleep in, putting her family’s minds at rest during the night while helping to promote a healthy sleeping routine moving forward.

Carrick Brown, Senior Manager for Newlife’s Child and Family Team, said: “It’s simply unfair that Mila-Rose and her family are suffering in this way because they can’t get immediate access to the equipment they need. Her mum Gayle and the rest of the family just want the best for their child and a new bed would make such a huge difference to all of their lives.

“Their story compels us to do our best to try and raise the funds needed and while Newlife would love to be able to pay for the equipment we just don’t have the funds available at the moment, which is why we’re calling on the people of Glasgow for their support.

“If anyone can make a contribution to Mila-Rose’s bed, it would be greatly appreciated – we hope that everyone will understand that if it was their child, they’d only want to be able to give them the best life possible.”

Anyone able to help Mila-Rose should urgently contact Newlife on 01543 431 444, click here or email fundraise@newlifecharity.co.uk. You can also text NEWLIFE MILA to 70500 to give £10 to Mila Rose’s appeal. 100% of your donation will go towards Newlife. Texts cost the £10 donation plus one message at your standard network rate. Always get the bill payer’s permission. 

Money raised above the amount needed for Mila-Rose’s specialist bed will be used to help other disabled and terminally ill children in need.

By completing the Gift Aid form you will allow Newlife to claim an extra 25% on donations you make at no extra cost to you.