A YOUNG South Oxhey girl with cerebral palsy is hoping an Easter charity event will enable her to help other special needs children in Hertfordshire.

Rebecca O'Sullivan, six-and-a-half, wants to publish a book of her poems and short stories and personal thoughts, the proceeds of which are to be donated to other youngsters.

Charity Action On Disability, based in Garston, has dreamed up an idea that will help raise money to buy a computer with special mouse and joystick on which Rebecca can compile her book.

The charity is planning a Special Need Easter Event to be held in South Oxhey on Thursday, April 20, its biggest fundraiser venture yet. The organisation, which has raised thousands of pounds for charities across Hertfordshire, hopes a raffle, tombola, and a half-price sale will raise some of the money needed to buy the £1,500 computer.

Action on Disability is hoping the day's proceeds, plus other donations, will raise at least £750. It has pledged that, if the figure is achieved, it will double the amount raised.

Rebecca's mother Sheila, 40, a housewife said: 'I am so pleased the charity is doing this, not only to help my little girl, but so many others like her.

'Rebecca is aware of her disability and is an intelligent little girl, but her hands are so uncoordinated and writing is impossible. The computer will help immensely.'

Charity chairman Mr Paul Gurney said he thought of the Easter event when he spoke to Sheila when she came into the Action on Disability charity shop in Station Approach, South Oxhey.

Mr Gurney said: 'Sheila just mentioned to me one day that Rebecca had the use of a computer at school, but she doesn't have enough time on it to write her poems and short stories.

'I thought what a wonderful idea it would be to hold a charity event to raise money to get Rebecca a special computer installed at her home. Not only will it enhance her quality of life, but it will turn her talent into a project that will help many other children.

'By doing this we are not just raising money for one girl, but gathering funds for others with the sale of the book.'

'We are fully aware that Rebecca is very able in writing poems, short stories and her own personal thoughts and there are seven Hertfordshire-based publishers already interested in the book.'

It has been decided 90 per cent of the proceeds will be donated to other special needs children in Hertfordshire, and the remaining ten per cent will go towards purchasing additional software for Rebecca's computer.

It is hoped the book, which is to be titled: I Wish by Rebecca O'Sullivan, will be on sale at the end of the year.

The Special Need Easter Event will be on Thursday, April 20, from 9.30am to 4pm, at the charity's Station Approach shop. Tickets for the raffle are on sale, priced 25p each, and tickets for the Tombola, also priced 25p, can be purchased on the day. For further information, telephone the branch on 020 8386 0110.