Last updated at 17:05, Wednesday, 19 December 2012

A DELIGHTED family has thanked the community that helped them raise around £40,000 to support their disabled daughter.

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Thanks to the generosity of friends and neighbours, 17-year-old Katy Galbraith, from Ulverston, was able to move into a purpose-built extension at her family home.

In June, the Evening Mail told the story of her struggles since being diagnosed with a recurrent brain tumour.

But following an appeal, mum Shelly Tyson and stepdad Frank were able to adapt their home, in Ainsworth Street, to meet Katy’s needs.

Mrs Tyson said: “It has just made life so much easier already.”

Her daughter’s condition has meant she has not had access to a number of her belongings or a bathroom for the last two years.

The extension has provided a wheelchair-accessible space and equipment to meet the 17-year-old’s needs.

Mrs Tyson added: “Katy is absolutely over the moon — she was a bit speechless.

“The increase in her quality of life and her ability to be as independent as possible has sky-rocketed really.”

The family held a party last weekend to celebrate the opening of the extension and thank the people involved in making it a possibility. Mrs Tyson said she was grateful to everyone that helped, singling out Ulverston-based builders merchants Travis Perkins for its help along the way.

She said: “All the staff have been fantastic and that has made the difference between us finishing it and not finishing it.”

She estimated the firm had saved the family around £15,000 by ringing suppliers to negotiate free building materials and better deals for the family.

Brian Smith, assistant manager at the Ulverston branch, said: “It must be hard for them.

“I am just pleased we could help.”

Katy has been in and out of hospital for the last 11 years after being diagnosed with a recurrent brain tumour as a young child.

The treatment she has received was so severe it left her brain damaged and affected her metabolism and short-term memory.

The family has yet to count the final cost of the extension but estimates it to be in the region of £70,000, the remainder of which was covered by a £30,000 grant.

First published at 16:28, Monday, 17 December 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk