A MOTHER who set up an activity group for children with special needs and their siblings says spending another Christmas with her disabled daughter is ‘a blessing’.

Kelly Hughes, 31, started Children Together for her two daughters, Sophie, eight, who suffers from a rare mitochondrial disorder, and four-year-old Molly, who does not have a disability, so they can socialise with other families in a similar situation.

Kelly, who lives in Crewkerne with the girls and husband Mark, said despite the challenges they face with able-bodied and disabled daughters, they see Christmas as a positive occasion.

She said: “We treat Christmas as a special time because we are just grateful that Sophie is here.

“The only difficulty is trying to find suitable Christmas presents in a similar price bracket for both girls.

“It is always a blessing to have Sophie with us at Christmas because we do not know how many we will have with her.

“Christmas is very special and important to us as a family to spend it together.”

Kelly’s first group meeting for Children Together was held earlier this month and about ten families turned up.

She hailed the meeting a success and said it was a good way for children to play together and for parents in a similar situation to meet up.

Her plan is for people to meet on the first Saturday of every month for coffee and cake.

She said: “It went really well. The children did some craft activities and sticking as well as playing a lot of the sensory instruments and lights.

“I did not know how many would turn up but I just hoped that people would – everybody seemed to be pleased with it.

“It was nice and I hope it will carry on in the New Year, it is just about the getting the word out at the moment.”

Kelly is seeking to get in contact with groups who can provide children’s entertainment at the sessions.

Anyone who can help can call her on 07790-701553.