A £1,000 donation from a local housebuilder is supporting a five-year-old with cerebral palsy in her daily life.

Persimmon Homes Essex has made the donation to help Mila Cole, from Braintree, in her efforts to become more independent and provide her with the opportunities that she deserves in order to help improve her mobility, keep her joints & muscles strong, healthy and pain free.

The £1,000 grant was made through Persimmon Homes’ hugely successful Community Champions campaign.

Kerry Douse, Mila’s mum, said: “We are thrilled to receive support from Persimmon Homes in Essex, and it is a real boost for our amazing little girl.

“Cerebral palsy affects Mila in a number of ways leaving her unable to crawl or walk, talk and eat without the use of a feeding tube.

“As a family we are always looking at different treatments and equipment to help Mila and unfortunately they are not all available through the NHS.

“We are currently fundraising for weekly private therapy sessions that can cost from £70 for an hour up to more intensive therapies costing up to £1,000. Last year we travelled to the US for therapy which cost £12,000.

“Fundraising is tough at the moment and every penny we raise goes towards the specialist care that Mila desperately needs so we are very grateful for this support.”.

Richard Hush, managing director at Persimmon Homes Essex, said: “It’s hard to imagine the impact having a child that is battling such a cruel disease has on a family and we are delighted to help with funding for Mila’s therapy.

“This is exactly what our Community Champions scheme is all about, supporting communities and individuals to make a positive change.”

The Persimmon Homes Essex Community Champions initiative invites groups and charities who have already worked hard to raise money themselves to apply for match-funding of up to £1,000 by completing an online form at www.persimmonhomes.com/charity.