TAKING medication and physiotherapy are not the usual everyday activities for a five-year-old girl but Cystic Fibrosis sufferer Cara Kent is all too used to them.

Cara, from St Brides, was diagnosed with the genetic condition, where the lungs and digestive system become clogged with mucus, just a month after she was born.

The condition causes her breathing difficulties and affects her internal organs, her mobility, her lifestyle and her life expectancy.

Parents Natasha and Jamie-Lee Kent are now hoping to raise £9,000 for a specialist vest to help make Cara's life easier.

Mrs Kent, 23, said: "It kind of looks like a life-saving jacket. It's hooked up to a machine and helps to break down the mucus which she can then cough up or get rid of.

"She'll get to be able to breathe a lot easier and it might be able to stop infection."

Cara has to take about 10 tablets at breakfast time and more throughout the day. She also has physiotherapy twice a day alongside using a nebuliser.

On finding out Cara might have the condition, Mrs Kent said: "We were a bit shocked at first. I was 17 at the time when I was pregnant with her and I just didn't know what Cystic Fibrosis was. I didn't know what to expect. We did a bit of research and we broke down.

"We had so much support from two nurses, if it wasn't for them I don't think we would've been as strong."

On top of the condition, Cara also suffers from asthma and is prone to chest infections which prompts a two to three week hospital stay, where doctors pump antibiotics through her veins.

"She can do everything a normal child can do, it just takes her more effort," her mum said.

"Some days she'll play up and won't eat - she needs to be on a high calorie diet. It's something she can control when she has no control over her condition.

"She does ask 'why can't I be normal?' and I tell her that God chose her to be special."

Describing how well Cara copes with her condition, Mrs Kent said: "It depends on how well she is, some days she doesn't want to do anything and others she is very strong willed and she just gets on with it."

Around £2,000 has already been raised for the Tree of Hope children's charity to fund a physiotherapy vest for Cara. A fundraising event was also held at The Dodger pub in Newport on Friday.

The money has yet to be counted but Mrs Kent estimates more than £1,000 was raised with a raffle, auction and music.

Another auction and medium nights will also be held in Newport over the next couple of months and Mrs Kent is preparing for a sponsored skydive.

To donate visit gofundme.com/Carasdreams