A desperate Halesowen family can sleep easier now knowing their disabled daughter is safe – thanks to generous local donors.

The Cannock-based Newlife children’s charity had issued an appeal for help to raise £3,095 for a special bed after the five-year-old narrowly escaped a terrifying fall down the stairs in the night.

Kimberley Collins, known as Kimmi, has no concept of danger due to a genetic condition Smith Magenis Syndrome and often struggles to breathe, has recurrent chest infections and learning difficulties.

One night she was only saved from plunging headfirst down the stairs because her pyjamas caught on the safety gate.

Parents Simon and Clare have to stop her repeatedly banging her head on hard surfaces.

Clare said: “The night she nearly fell down the stairs was terrifying – and it was our breaking point; we knew something had to change.”

Newlife recognised the serious risk Kimmi faced but, because of Covid hitting their finances, they did not have the money to buy the equipment for the family, and instead launched a public appeal.

And today they announced they had reached the target – less than 24 hours after we published the appeal on the Halesowen News website.

The equipment will provide a fully enclosed safe space for Kimmi to sleep and relax in; it will prevent her from wandering around the house and the bed’s cushioned sides will mean she can’t injure herself when banging her head.