A BRAVE tot who is always smiling despite suffering from major health problems will be one of the VIP guests at the launch of a charity grotto raising money for the hospice which has been a “godsend” to her family.

Two-year-old Makiyla Rose Roberts, from Rock Ferry, was born with a crippling and life-limiting condition which means she can do virtually nothing for herself and needs round-the-clock care from her devoted mum and dad, Kayleigh Citrine and Matthew Roberts.

The only breaks they get from the intensive care is when Makiyla Rose has one of her regular short breaks at Claire House Children’s Hospice in Bebington where she loves to meet up with other children with similar problems to enjoy swimming and listening to stories.

So Kayleigh, 28, was delighted when Makiyla Rose was invited to be one of the special guests at the grand opening of the winter wonderland at Pyramids Shopping Centre in Birkenhead - which launches on November 21 in aid of Claire House and will run for more than four weeks up to and including Christmas Eve.

The Pyramids team will create a magical, sparkling, gem-like scene in St John’s Square where families will be greeted by a giant polar bear, live music and a host of fun freebies.

Snow will fall on the crowds waiting to meet the man of the hour, Father Christmas, and for an entry fee of £4 each child will receive a toy and a link to a digital photo to download from the Pyramids Shopping Centre website as part of their visit.

All the money raised will go to Claire House which offers care, support and choice to families whose children are seriously ill.

Mum Kayleigh said: “When I was 12 weeks pregnant with her the doctors thought she might be at risk of having Down’s Syndrome. They tested me for it while she was still in the womb but was given the all-clear.

“However, they think that she may have picked up something else because she was born with all sorts of other problems.

“Although what is exactly wrong with her has never been diagnosed I have been told that she has limited life expectancy.

“Makiyla Rose has no muscle tone which means she cannot hold up her head, sit up or lift her legs and is unable to walk.

“She also has epilepsy and has just been officially registered as blind, although we know she can hear.

“Basically, she is a very sick little girl and quite often has seizures when she stops breathing and her lips turn blue. She is always having to go into Arrowe Park Hospital for treatment and, in fact, we’re there so often I’m now on first name terms with the doctors.”

Kayleigh, who is also mum to seven-year-old Alicia, added: “Our house, which isn’t a big one, is full of the machines Makiyla Rose needs just to keep her going, including oxygen for her breathing because she gets a lot of chest infections.

“She sometimes stays awake for as much as 29 hours at a time and, of course, I have to stay awake to watch her, which can be very exhausting.” 

“I’m Makiyla Rose’s sole carer and I have to keep a very close eye on her 24 hours a day, so it’s great when we get some respite care from Claire House.”

“It’ a fantastic place and it has actually been a godsend to me.”

Santa’s Claire House grotto launches on Friday November 21 from 4-6 pm at Pyramids Shopping Centre in Birkenhead. The grotto will then be open daily from 11 am to 4 pm on weekdays and Sundays and 11 am to 5 pm on Saturdays. From Wednesday December 17 to Christmas Eve, these timings will vary slightly so the grotto stays open longer.

Entry is £4 with all the money raised donated to Claire House.