Luton's little child of courage Shamiam Arif was in high spirits when she went to collect her new helmet at the Luton & Dunstable Hospital this week.

She pulled it down over her eyes, tipped it to one side and giggled infectiously as prosthetist orthotist Raymond Moore checked it for fit.

Then it was back to Foxdell Junior School for the sassy seven-year-old who was delighted to have skipped classes - even for a little while.

Shamiam suffered devastating injuries in a house fire when she was a baby. She has to wear a helmet at all times to protect her skull which was burned down to the lining of her brain.

It is custom-made from plastazoate, a dense foam-based material. It has holes for her pigtails at the back and is in her favourite colour - purple.

The plucky youngster will need years of treatment and surgery so please help us help her - you can buy a £2 Shamiam Arif wristband from our offices at Media House, 39 Upper George Street. Or you can send a donation to United for the Needy (Shamiam Arif Appeal), 146-148 Gregory Boulevard, Nottingham NG7 5JE