Jemma Lewry, 24, pleads with public to help raise funds for life-saving surgery

Jemma Lewry, 24, needs to raise £15,000 by the end of April to pay for surgery to stop her brain stem from becoming more damaged.

She suffers with chronic fatigue, neurological symptoms and severe pain from multiple conditions, including atlantoaxial instability - meaning her neck dislocates when she turns her head left and right.

Since her condition began to deteriorate, Jemma has became dependent on a wheelchair and crutches while spending most of her life trying to sleep or laying on the sofa.

Previously, she needed to raise £100,000 for neurosurgery that was only available in Barcelona, which has now become available at a hospital in Leeds for a cheaper cost.

Jemma, from Holbury, said: "The more delay there is to the surgery, the more damage is being done to my brain stem when my head is sliding back and forth.

"We travelled to see a private neuro spinal surgeon in Leeds to have more tests and a third opinion on my surgery. The scans and moving X-ray imaging revealed the instability in my neck has worsened especially the skull and spine joint.

"He [doctor] was shocked at the severity and how clear it was to see and explained my brain stem is being damaged by my dislocating skull and has recommended urgent fusion surgery too. If I don't get the surgery soon, I will be stuck like I am now until things go wrong elsewhere in my body."

The surgery is expected to improve pain and take pressure off her brain stem, stop her head sliding and solve her inconsistent heart rate, which can jump from a slow rate of 32 beats per minute to over 175 beats a minute.

Jemma added: "We only have until the end of April as I'm booked for surgery in May. So far, we have raised £21,509 but need to raise another £15k to pay for the surgery.

"We are very grateful for what we have got so far and any help would be appreciated."

To donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/just4children/jemmaslifesavingneurosurgery.