MOST families want a new car to help them get around but for one Leigh family it is a necessity.

Donna and Anthony Pugh have been struggling to make the regular trips to take nine-year-old Ellie to Alder Hey in Liverpool since she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2012 because the family car is on its last legs.

But their luck could be about to change as Donna is one of seven finalists in a the Arnold Clark Real Sale Challenge, to win a car if she gets the most votes by February 7.

Donna said: “Having the chance to win is a great opportunity for all the seven finalists. But for us personally it would certainly bring us peace of mind. We have had so many issues with our current car, it drastically failed its MOT and we were shocked with some of the issues it had.

“I know people want a car but we need a car to travel to Liverpool for Ellie's treatment every two weeks. Knowing the car will make it down the motorway would be great.”

Doctors have struggled to get Ellie’s condition under control and she has to make regular visits to the children’s hospital for adalimumab injections that help stop Ellie’s body attacking her digestive tract.

In November, the Journal reported that Ellie set her heart on raising £1,000 for Crohn’s and Colitus UK to help other poorly people but in a matter of months she has raised £1947.05.

Ellie missed out on eating her Christmas dinner and her birthday cake this year because she was on a feeding tube and was only allowed a milky formula.

Donna said: “We met with the consultant two weeks ago and he said she is now a candidate for surgery but we are really trying to hold off that for as long as possible.”

To vote, text Donna to 81803.