THE birth of Amelia on Christmas Day seven years ago gave Terri and Richard Morrison the best Christmas present they could ask for.

However from that moment, life has been a struggle.

Amelia spent the first year of her life in hospital, the majority of that time was in the RVI Newcastle, away from the family home in Darlington. From birth she has been gastrostomy fed, and had to have a keyhole operation on her heart, as well as open heart surgery.

Her family were told Amelia wouldn't be able to ever move her legs or lift her head. She is still undiagnosed to this day.

But Amelia has always been a true fighter. At the age of four, she came off oxygen and breathed all by herself for the first time.

"She is now seven and still surprises her family every single day," said her auntie, Holly.

"Although Amelia may not be able to walk, talk, eat or drink, that certainly doesn't stop her loving her life."

But as Amelia grows up, her parents are finding it extremely hard to perform her daily routines. As a result, they received a £30,000 grant to build an extension with adaptations to meet her needs.

However, they received a phone call out of the blue last week, telling them they need to raise another £4,300 themselves to fund the extension.

"As parents of two other children Alfie, 13, and Archie, four, you can imagine finding that sort of money is almost impossible," said Holly.

"Having been giving no time to attempt to save, this news has left the family devastated and heartbroken with worry of how they are going to manage much longer.

"Things most of us find so simple like putting our kids in the bath and taking them up to bed are very difficult.

"With no equipment what so ever other than her chair, these things are a huge struggle for her parents.

"Amelia really is so special, her smile alone can light up a room immediately – she's such a loving little girl with the most amazing bubbly personality you could imagine.

"Even the smallest of donations will help them get closer to reaching their goal and their dream of making life that much easier for the whole family."

To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/help-little-amelia-morrison-amp-her-family.