The family of a severely disabled girl have launched a heartfelt appeal to brighten up her Christmas.

Blind four-year-old Ezmae Catley has various medical conditions including cerebral palsy, dystonia, brain damage and a suspected genetic condition.

Mum Claire Morrish wants people to send Christmas cards to the youngster for the family to read to her.

The 36-year-old said: “Ezmae doesn’t really understand Christmas because she is so disabled, but one thing she does know is the sound of our voices.

“We want to read all her cards out to her, despite the fact we don’t know how much she takes in.”

The family, who live in Minster Road, Minster-on-Sea, have run similar appeals for the past few years, but Claire says this year it has taken off.

"It's a a kick in the teeth at Christmas, she's our youngest and should be full of life, but she’s not" - Claire Morrish

She said: “Last year it was quite quiet and we had about 20 cards, but this time my inbox on Facebook has just gone crazy with people wanting to help and send her cards.”

Her family have been the subject of various charitable efforts in the past four years, including fundraising for a trip to Disneyland Paris, raising cash for Ezmae's vital medical equipment and having a hot tub installed by Sheppey Rugby Club members in August.

A fundraising page set up for her on Facebook has more than 2,000 likes.

Miss Morrish praised the Sheppey community, saying: “People on the Island have always been so supportive and that’s so lovely.”

Unfortunately, Ezmae’s health has again got worse and she now spends most of her time asleep and sedated due to the level of pain she is in.

Ezmae is receiving end-of-life care and cannot walk, talk, sit unaided or communicate.

She is also under the care of geneticists after an MRI scan showed her brain has declined far quicker than expected.

Miss Morrish added: “It’s a a kick in the teeth at Christmas, she’s our youngest and should be full of life, but she’s not.”

If you would like to send a card to Ezmae, post them to us at Ezmae’s Christmas, Sheerness Times Guardian, 44 High Street, Sheerness, ME12 1NL.