Bid to raise funds for pioneering treatment

Laura Fischer-Beards was given just three months to live after being diagnosed with a potentially fatal brain tumour.

The growth was described by doctors as like a ‘spider wrapping round her brain’ and she was warned her it could not be operated on.

Thanks to pioneering treatment in Chicago, she has now undergone a successful operation which could see her live for another 15 years.

But with a price tag of £80,000 to get her under the knife, friends and family have appealed for help to fund the cause with ‘crowd surfing’ donations now flooding in.

After setting up a call for help, the family has already seen over £14,000 donated via fundraising page Yimby in hope of covering the hefty bill.

Amanda Lewis-Jones, who is behind the campaign, said it is all about giving a “remarkable lady” more time with her family and young children.

“This is a story of a girl, a daughter, a mummy, a friend, a nurse,” she said.

“This could so easily be anyone of us. We just got lucky in life, I guess. Laura is a kind, genuine, thoughtful, fun loving, vivacious go getter.

“She has been dealt the roughest of blows with her diagnosis, yet she continues to raise money for others, care for others and give back.

“This remarkable lady has three young boys. Their mummy is across the ocean in a desperate quest to be able to see her boys through school and into adulthood.”

The 38 year-old mother-of-three said she had “no choice” but to go through with the treatment at any cost for the sake of her family.

Laura, who is recovering in hospital in the USA, was diagnosed with the tumour last year - but with the devastating news that it was too deep within her brain to be operable.

And things only got worse as, during a biopsy, she suffered a stroke, leaving her paralysed down her right side, unable to speak and unable to recognise her family.

After months of recovery Laura was then given the terrible news that the tumour had become malignant and that it was growing.

After chemotherapy to try and stabilise the tumour, the pioneering treatment in the United States was her only option to extend her life and give her more time with her family.

Jack Sheldon, team leader at Yimby where donations are collected, said: “We give to charity every day but rarely can we see who we have touched, who is alive because of our generosity.

“This is your chance to be part of something great, helping to save this lady’s life.”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com