A RENEWED fundraising drive has been launched to help a young girl with an extremely rare condition.

Seven-year-old April Benton, from Malton, is one of only nine children in the world suffering from bilateral striatal necrosis, which affects her mobility. She was diagnosed with the condition after contracting a virus in 2014.

Her parents, Sarah and Paul, are now hoping to extend and adjust their home to cope with April’s increasing needs.

Sarah, who works at Karro Foods in Norton, said: “Last year our family was approached by Richard Scaife who operates sports classes and he organised a team of fundraisers to take on the challenge of swimming the equivalent of the English Channel – all 21 miles of it.

“Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances the previous crowd-funding page had been closed down by the provider and all supporters of the cause were refunded.

“Naturally we were upset and disappointed as we’d had so much support from local people. However, we have now set up a new fundraising page and hope everyone will support us again.”

April led a normal childhood until 2013 when, aged 18 months old, she contracted a virus which resulted in her immune system being compromised and it attacked her brain.

Sarah said: “April suffered life-changing brain damage which affects the movement and brain signals to both sides of her body – significantly worse on her left side of her body.

“April now has a splint fitted to her left leg and a walking frame to help her have some independence. However, she is growing so fast that we have realised our home is no longer fit to meet with her growing needs, or ours.”

April, who attends St Mary’s Primary School in Malton on a part-time basis, also needs specialised equipment, including an adapted car seat.

“At school she has a tablet and keyboard as she struggles to write and she has a reading board as she cannot hold books,” Sarah said.

“At the moment her condition is fairly stable and she has regular physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

“She has good days and not so good days when her muscles need strengthening, but she never complains. As April grows older she is more aware of things, but she is always smiling and is a real credit to herself.”

Sarah said that they did not know how April’s condition would progress.

“As there is so little known she could remain stable or she could deteriorate dramatically,” she said.

“This fundraising is about April gaining her independence where possible, and for us to future proof our home for her future.”

Richard said fundraisers were continuing to take part in the swim and he hoped those that had previously donated would do so again.

He said: “I was devastated when admin problems with the previous fundraising site meant that all the donations were refunded.

“There has been a great deal of support for April, who is such a young lady, and I am sure local people will do all their can to help her family reach their target.”

To make a donation, go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sarah-benton