A SPECIALIST bed is making a big impact on the lives of ten-year-old Dylan Cathrae and his family in Camelford.

His mother Kerry Mellor said the loan of the bed has helped Dylan become ‘completely different in all aspects of life’, but now Dylan needs a permanent bed of his own — and Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children is looking for local heroes to help make this happen.

Dylan has Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, developmental delay and learning difficulties. As a result he is hyper sensitive to noise, smells and touch and has severe behavioural difficulties.

Since the age of two Dylan had been taking medication nightly to help him sleep — but since receiving the specialist bed a few weeks ago the family have been able to reduce this to a couple of times a week.

Kerry said: “His aggression has reduced significantly. It was horrendous before. Dylan used to stay up until three or four o’clock in the morning, and someone had to be with him constantly to keep him safe.

“He has also developed an eating disorder and he would constantly be trying to get hold of food throughout the night.”

With Dylan’s behaviour impacting on the whole family — he has an older brother and 12-year-old sister — and no funding available from local statutory services for a specialist bed, Kerry contacted Newlife, which is the UK’s largest charity provider of specialist equipment for children with disabilities and terminal illness.

Recognising the urgency of the situation, Newlife provided a specialist bed on loan for Dylan within days. The equipment has high sides so he feels secure and cannot climb out and is padded to provide a low stimulation environment, which encourages him to sleep.

Kerry said: “I noticed a big difference within a week of getting the specialist bed. Dylan has sensory issues but these have also improved as he enjoys the comfort of the safe space the bed provides.

“Dylan is currently out of education again due to his complex needs and has also been denied respite by the local respite centre.

“The only form of a break I have had since November has come because of the SafeSpace bed which has improved his sleeping, behaviour and eating patterns.”

The bed was provided through Newlife’s Emergency Equipment Loans service. Items like beds, wheelchairs, specialist seating, buggies and portable hoists are provided on six-month loans and Newlife aims to get the equipment delivered to families’ homes within 72 hours.

Newlife is now urgently looking to provide Dylan with a permanent bed of his own, at a cost of £6,935.

Newlife has provided £186,016 of equipment for 84 under-19s in Cornwall.

Those who would like to support Dylan in getting his permanent bed, can visit www.newlifecharity.co.uk/cornwall and click on the Donate button next to his story.

The website includes contact details for the Newlife County Liaison Team — 01543 431 444 or [email protected] — and shows specific ways people can help support children with disability and terminal illness and their families in the county.

Newlife guarantees that 100 per cent of monies donated or fundraised in Cornwall will be used to specifically help children with disabilities and terminal illness in the county.