AROUND 30 people joined a Penarth schoolgirl's family to step up fundraising for a potentially life-changing device.

Mum Laura, dad Ashley, sister Neveah Mellens, family and friends walked from King Square, Barry to Barry Island with the mission to raise the £5000 needed to buy an Eyegaze which could help five-year-old Blisse talk.

The eye-operated communication and control system, which Blisse has access to in Ysgol Erw'r Delyn, in Penarth, will help Blisse communicate and interact with the world by looking at images on a screen.

Blisse would be able to fully use the machine in her own home meaning her development would be improved.

Blisse was born with a combination of rare brain disorders, Periventricular Nodular Heterotopia and Polymicrogyria.

The disorders have caused global developmental delays and delayed swallow which means it's unsafe for Blisse to have food orally.

Blisse, who also attends Ty Hafan hospice, has epilepsy and movement disorders which affect her quality of life and her developmental delays mean she is unable to walk, crawl, sit unaided, or communicate verbally.

Mum Laura said: “She is unable to communicate verbally. To help her play and communicate she needs an Eyegaze.

“Using Eyegaze technology can give children with the needs Blisse has the ability to develop an understanding of cause and effect, begin to make choices and allow those supporting her - family, friends and school staff - to provide access to her favourite software and join in with other children at an appropriate level. It will also allow her ‘play’ – something that her combined needs restrict. Having access at home to such equipment will allow Blisse greater opportunities to develop these skills when she is most relaxed and comfortable. It will give her the opportunity to independently play, but also engage with her sister and family and give her the opportunity to have a level of control over her environment. Due to the needs she has, the more opportunity Blisse has to experience activities when she is well, the more likely she will be to learn to control the world around her. Vision is Blisse’s only access to control her world and we need to provide her with every opportunity to learn with her eyes and help her understand the control she can have. This is a basic right, one that many of us take for granted.”

Laura added: “I believe that one day she will call me 'mummy' using this device, something I've waited a long time to hear.

Thank you to everyone that took part and donated. Yet again we thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts. All sponsorship money to be in end of August so still time to donate!”

To support Blisse, log onto http://www.gofundme.com/eyegaze4blisse or Facebook page Blisse’s Journey.