A SOMERSET mum has launched an appeal to raise more than £6,000 for a wheelchair for her disabled daughter.

Lilly Hooper from Monkton Heathfield was born three months premature causing a third and fourth degree bleed leading to brain damage.

The 4-year-old has been diagnosed with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, which means she cannot walk, sit or stand on her own without the assistance of equipment.

In a bid to give Lilly more freedom her mum, Cody Hooper, has launched an appeal to raise £6,665 to buy a Tiny Trax Power Chair, an electric wheelchair which is not funded by the NHS.

Cody, 27, said the wheelchair will help Lilly to get around more easily and will give her more independence.

"We have applied to a few charities for funding but we have never received a response," Cody said.

"The Tiny Trax Power chair costs £6,665 in total, we have currently raised £4,150 so far through the Go Fund Me page and have roughly £400 in cash donations.

"We are hoping to raise the full amount. We have put a deposit of £4,000 in total so far so that the company can begin building the power chair, as they are custom made to each order.

"The reason we are trying to purchase her a power chair is so she can get around easier while she is in school, parks etc – as she tires very easily in her standing/walking frame.

"The day we went in for a trial she took to the power chair instantly, everyone was so impressed with how quickly she learned to use the controls.

"She had us all running in circles after her very quickly and was in fits of giggles at her freedom.

"To give a child the freedom we take for granted daily would mean the world to that child, the look on her face when she realised, she could move around at the simple movement of a joystick was heart-warming.

"That there was the deciding factor for us as parents to do everything we could in our power to give her the independence and freedom she deserves."

For more information or to donate to the appeal visit www.gofundme.com and search for 'Lillys Power Chair'.