WHEN Paige Lilly Higham was only four months old, doctors warned her parents that she may not live to see her first birthday.

She had stopped breathing when she was 12 hours old.

Specialists diagnosed West syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy, as she often has hundreds of seizures a day.

With the support of her family, the much-loved Chesnut Lodge pupil is now 11 and a big fan of One Direction and Little Mix.

“She is a little fighter,” said her mum Stacey, 29, of The Brow in Runcorn. “Everyone adores her.”

Paige is unable to walk or talk and has other complex life limiting conditions.

After spending nine weeks in hospital last year, her parents Stacey and Daniel, 31, want to treat her to a special surprise.

They applied to Caudwell Children, a charity that offers lifetime experiences, and were thrilled when Paige was selected to fly to Disney World in Florida on a dream holiday.

However the trip scheduled for February 2018 has been postponed until next December because the charity has not been able to raise £250,000 to take 25 disabled children on the magical treat.

A team of paediatric doctors, nurses and 40 volunteers provide 24/7 cover for the poorly youngsters.

Daniel, a roofer, said: “Winter is a very hard time for us with Paige having recurrent respiratory problems.

“She can spend a lot of time unwell due to her chronic lung disease and low immune system.

A normal cough and cold can lead to pneumonia or a chest infection and even more admissions to hospital.

“Her life can sometimes be at risk so it’s going to be a very nervous wait for us.

“We just hope she is strong enough each winter to make it to the next.”

The holiday would enable her family to capture precious memories.

Stacey added: “Paige adores Disney and girly things. It will be a dream come true to see her face light up when she meets all her idols, the princesses at Magic Kingdom.

“To watch Paige enjoying it with her one-year-old sister Poppy will be magical. It’s something we never thought we would ever be able to do together.

“It would be amazing.”

To support Paige visit justgiving.com/fundraising/holiday4paige.

Donations can also be made by texting PEAL58 and the £amount to 70070.