ALMOST 10 years ago the Dyer family was forced to take the impossible decision to turn off their daughter’s life support machine.

Victoria Dyer was starved of oxygen at birth and the family was told to expect the worst.

But the brave youngster battled against the odds and survived.

Now she is gearing up for her 10th birthday and helping her mum Theresa, father Danny and three brothers hit a landmark fundraising total.

Victoria, who lives in Somerville Drive, Bicester, suffers from cerebral palsy, but is now well enough to go full time to Bardwell School.

Mrs Dyer, 47, has also been able to return to work thanks to the big steps her daughter has made.

Mrs Dyer said a week after Victoria was born doctors said the only thing keeping her alive was a life support machine.

She said: “We took the decision on medical advice to switch off her life support machine. She held her own – and here we are.

“She has had quite a tricky time, it hasn’t been plain sailing getting here.

“The first three or four years were really difficult, she had admissions to hospital every month and it was hard for the boys.

“As soon as she gets sick your automatic feeling is ‘is this the beginning of the end? Is this illness going to take her?’ We always feel as if we’re on borrowed time.”

Amazingly, the family has raised £28,000 for East Oxford’s Helen House hospice, the special care baby unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Rosy (Respite nursing for Oxfordshire's Sick Youngsters) and Bardwell School.

But the target is £30,000 and a charity golf day is planned for next month.

Victoria’s life expectancy is now about 20 years, but she is still vulnerable to chest infections and needs constant care.

Victoria is fed by a tube and has medication to control epilepsy, but doctors are concerned she could outgrow the levels of medication.

The family still relies on respite care from Helen House as well as help from Mrs Dyer’s mum Margaret Donald, who regularly looks after Victoria, allowing the couple to spend precious time with their sons Daniel, 19, Ben, 18, and Luke, 13.

Mrs Dyer said: “We made the decision that we all needed quality of life, not just Victoria.

“Although her life expectancy has increased, we know we are not going to have her forever.”

Anyone interested in joining the golf day on Friday, September 3, at Kirtlington Golf Club, which costs £40 per person, can call 01869 360109 for details.