Thanks to a fund-raising effort organised by the Lioness Club of Sutherland Shire, the family was able to convert their family car to accommodate daughter Julia.

Not only does Julia, 8, have a profound disability, the family live at the bottom of a very steep driveway, making the wheelchair conversion a must.

The $25,000 cost of making the car wheelchair-accessible was covered by fund-raising efforts, including a screening of Couples Therapy at Cronulla Cinema.

Money was also donated by Variety, the Children's Charity.

Julia's mother Angela said the car conversion made the family's life more normal.

"It means we can do things that other families take for granted we've taken Julia to the park and the beach, and I recently took her shopping for the first time in a long time,'' said Mrs Wainwright.

"It means Julia is getting out and doing things we otherwise wouldn't be able to do.''

Husband Craig said words could not express how grateful the family was for the club's help.