AMBLECOTE tot Calla-Rose Cadman is one in a million to her proud mum and dad.

The cute one-year-old from Penfields is also one in 40,000 affected by Dravet syndrome - an extremely rare and life-threatening form of epilepsy caused by a gene mutation.

Calla-Rose seemed happy and healthy until she was about three-months-old - her mum Nicki Cadman told the News, but after being hospitalised due to an episode of bronchiolitis she started having seizures which would last longer and longer.

The condition got so bad she was transferred from Russells Hall Hospital to Stoke University Hospital's intensive care unit after a seizure lasting one hour and 20 minutes left her in a coma.

Doctors were baffled as to what was causing Calla-Rose's seizures - despite a series of scans.

Finally - after more than 30 hospital stays in six months - the youngster was diagnosed with Dravet syndrome, which can lead to an array of health and development issues and which means sufferers live with a high risk of sudden unexplained death in epilepsy.

Plucky Calla-Rose, however, "is a fighter and very determined" her mum Nicki, aged 31, told the News; and friends and relatives are doing everything they can to help.

The family have set up a website documenting their story to help raise funds and awareness of the condition.

And a group of kind-hearted mums whose children attend Amblecote Primary School, where Calla-Rose's brother and sister are pupils, have organised a fundraising raffle to help buy lifesaving equipment which can monitor oxygen levels in the blood and highlight a sudden drop in heart rate if night or silent seizures occur.

Nicki said: "We know we have a very long road ahead of us and we don't know what the future will bring for Calla or for us, but what we do know is that she is a very special little girl and is loved and cared for by so many people who know her and we will not let this condition get in the way of life. We will do everything in our power to let her live a long, happy and healthy life."

Nicki and 31-year-old husband Lee, from Grampian Road, say they have no idea what the prognosis or life expectancy is for their little girl who spent her first birthday in hospital.

"We just take every day as it comes," she said.

The Amblecote mums hope to raise around £1,000 from their raffle which will be drawn at The Red Lion Pub, Brettle Lane, Amblecote, on December 16 at 7.15pm.

Parent Emma Woodhouse said: "We're just trying to raise funds so we can get some equipment to help make her life a bit easier."

The top prize is a luxury pamper hamper; other prizes include a hot air balloon ride, day out passes, gym membership, trial martial arts training, afternoon tea for two and more.

Tickets can be bought online through www.gofundme.com/Calla-Rose or from Nicki on 07827 768840 or by emailing nickibutcher@hotmail.co.uk.

There'll also be a charity Motown and soul night on Friday December 4 at Stourbridge Football Club from 7.30pm. Tickets, priced £5, are available on 07954 143172.

For more on Calla-Rose's story or to make a donation check out http://www.courageouscallarose.co.uk/or https://www.facebook.com/courageouscalla