A DISABLED girl can now get out and about in safety thanks to the sale of 5p carrier bags.

Shops which charge for the bags have to donate the money to charity, and in the case of eight-year-old Nimra Javid, from Keighley, the donations have provided her with a special buggy, courtesy of The Broadway's River Island store.

The store gives all the profits from the sales of its carrier bags to Newlife, a charity for disabled children.

Nimra has a range of debilitating conditions including autism, ADHD and Global Developmental Delay.

Because of her condition she often refuses to walk. With buggies for older children not available in the mainstream market, she needed specialist equipment to keep her mobile and safe.

Nimra’s father, Sajid Javid, said: “If she is tired of walking or is not happy she will have a tantrum, creating a scene. She enjoys going out and exploring new places but sometimes it can be overwhelming for her; having no sense of danger, she will run off not knowing that she could hurt herself.

"We are not able to pick her up anymore so going out was becoming more and more stressful until we received a buggy from Newlife."

With bag levy funding from River Island, Newlife, the largest charity funder of specialist equipment for children with disabilities and terminal illness in the UK, provided Nimra with a special buggy costing £1,356.

Mr Javid said: "Since getting the buggy it’s been so much better. We are able to take Nimra out with ease now as it gives her peace of mind because she knows she is safe and secure in the buggy.”

Mark Woodruff, community and charities manager with River Island, said: "River Island is delighted to support disabled and terminally ill children in UK communities by donating our bag levy money to the Newlife charity for disabled children.

"We have partnered with the charity for 25 years and over that period have been delighted to help them provide essential equipment and support to families who really need it.

"Through our partnership with Newlife we are putting the bag levy money back into the community.”

Newlife Foundation chief executive officer Sheila Brown is a parent of disabled children and a leading activist and speaker for the welfare and health of disabled children.

She said: “As local authority budget cuts continue to bite, more and more families are turning to charities like Newlife for specialist equipment which can help transform young lives. Having the national support of River Island is an enormous boost for us.”

Anyone struggling to access equipment through statutory services can call the Newlife Nurse Helpline on 0800 902 0095.