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A teenage Paralympic record-breaker is to lose her precious mobility car – because benefits officials say she’s not disabled enough.

Kayleigh Haggo, 16, won three golds in the European Paralympic Youth Games setting 13 world records and four national age group records in swimming, race running and club throw sports.

And Kayleigh, who has cerebral palsy, is desperate to continue her success at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2020.

But her ambitions could be curtailed due to cruel changes to benefits rules which means she no longer qualifies for her mobility car, the Daily Record reports.

Under Disability Living Allowance, applicants who could not walk 50 metres unaided qualified.

(Image: Ayrshire Post)

But as a result of David Cameron's benefits cull, the threshold has now been reduced to 20 metres.

Kayleigh can manage the lesser distance and so falls foul of the rule change.

Ironically, she believes it is only her tough training which has enabled her to walk as far as 20 metres.

But she will be unable to continue with the regime once the car – which is driven for her by mum Sandra, 48 – is taken off her.

Now Kayleigh is fighting back with an online petition to Prime Minister David Cameron begging for the heartless move to be overturned.

Kayleigh, who lives in Maybole, Ayrshire, said yesterday: “Do they want me to stay at home for the rest of my life?”

(Image: Ayrshire Post)

She added: “When I leave school I’m hoping to train full-time and also go to college or university. But I won’t be able to get there. I really want to compete in the Paralympics, but not having a car will mean that can’t happen.

“To get the bus would mean I’d have to go down the stairs myself, and I can’t do that.”

Scottish Disability Sport boss Gavin Mcleod blasted: “Without her Motability allowance, she will not be able to benefit from her participation in sport and continue on her performance pathway.

“This is also a significant concern for SDS as Kayleigh has undoubted potential to represent Scotland and GB on the international, Commonwealth and Paralympic stage.”

Kayleigh’s current car is a load-lugging Peugeot SUV, perfect for carrying Kayleigh’s wheelchair and sports equipment.

But she was told by the Department for Work and Pensions on May 26 that the car must be returned by June 16.

(Image: Ayrshire Post)

Kayleigh’s NHS worker mum, Sandra said last night: “ I’m really angry. Her whole future independence and life depends on this decision.

“She’s an exceptional young lady who’s worked hard to get where she is.

“There are now two questions which relate to mobility,

“One is whether the person can plan and follow a journey unaided.

“The other is whether they can walk more than 20 metres unaided, which she can. So if Kayleigh wasn’t pushing herself to walk short distances, she would have qualified for her car.

“We’ve always pushed her to be as independent as she can be.”

A DWP spokesman said: “This decision was made after considering all the evidence provided by Ms Haggo, as part of her application.

“Ms Haggo asked for a reconsideration of the decision by a different member of staff.

“This was carried out and the original decision was upheld.”

Sign Kayleigh’s petition at www.change.org/p/rt-hon-david-cameron-mp-nicola-sturgeon-reform-the-pip-guidelines