A FAMILY have vowed to never give up on their legal challenge over the removal of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) after celebrating the Supreme Court agreeing to hear their case.

The parents of Cameron Mathieson, who sadly died aged five in October 2012 having spent more than half of his life in Alder Hey hospital, are challenging the DLA ‘84-day rule’ whereby payments are suspended for under-16s when they spend more than 84 days in hospital.

As previously reported in the Warrington Guardian, parents Craig and Lynette are mounting the challenge in their son’s name so that no other family with a disabled child who spends long periods in hospital will have essential financial support taken away from them.

Their hearing at the Court of Appeal was unsuccessful but Cameron’s dad Craig said they were delighted to be chosen as one of the 40 to 60 cases the Supreme Court will hear at some point in the next nine to 15 months.

The 44-year-old, who lives in Padgate, said: “We’re hopeful this time when the case is considered in full the outcome will be in our favour and the 500 families a year who are currently in dire financial straits.

“The law is based on an incorrect premise and we just want somebody in the government to stop and listen and consider it properly.

“It’s not automatic by any means it would be heard by the Supreme Court so we’re delighted the judges chose our case.

“It has never crossed our minds to give up and I said from the outset I will only give up when the Queen tells me there’s nothing more we can do.

“What keeps driving us is the belief that what we are doing is right.”

Alongside the legal battle, the family are also hoping to set up a charity in Cameron’s name to support other families with children who have life-limiting conditions.

Craig added: “We have been assembling the right people for the board and if we could get it up and running by the spring that would be brilliant.

“We want to be able to pull all the different charities and services together and then also perhaps take families on special activities like visiting the Top Gear set.

“That’s something Cameron would have loved as he was always a petrol head.

“If children are missing out on the wonders and beauty of the world while they’re in hospital then we want to bring it to them.”