FIREFIGHTERS earned a big smile from cerebral palsy sufferer Michah Broad, when they presented her with more than £1,000.

The money is the final step in providing the lively eight-year-old with a new walker, which will give her more freedom to get around.

Fire crews from Garston, Bushey and Kings Langley participated in a charity car wash and the proceeds of an open day at Garston fire station went towards a cheque for £1,122, presented to Michah and her family, of Valley Rise, Garston, on Wednesday.

A pupil at Alban Wood Junior School in Garston, she suffers from an acute form of cerebral palsy, which affects all her limbs and means she has to spend much of her time in a wheelchair.

The new walker, which will be specially made to fit her, will enable her get around at home and school by aiding her to walk upright.

It will help the brave youngster, who featured in a TV appeal for more carers, when her legs are encased in plaster next year in a bid to straighten her limbs.

Her mother, Mrs Michelle Babbs, 36, said: "This is absolutely wonderful. It will help her such a lot she will be able to get around and go where she wants to go. She is very excited.

"She is such a lovely girl she's cheeky, she's got a good sense of humour and gets on well with all the other children at school. People always take to her."

She paid special tribute to Ms Cherry Hambrook from disabled charity Scope, who co-ordinated the fund-raising effort. Donations included £1,000 from the Watford Health Trust and £500 from the St George's Day Charity.

More than 30 staff at Garston fire station also helped raise funds. Garston firefighter Wayne Burns, who put Michah's name forward for the station's charity fund, said: "What we try to do is give money to local charities or local people that live in our fire station ground. We took the fire engine to Michah's school an we were won over by her personality. We are just so pleased we have been able to help."

November 6, 2001 10:30