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Rushenden mum Summa Barker's fundraising page raises £13,200 in four days

16:50, 15 January 2019

updated: 16:51, 15 January 2019

The family of a young mum battling a rare condition has thanked everyone for their support with raising thousands of pounds in four days.

A crowdfunding page set up on Friday for 23-year-old Summa Barker, of Swale Avenue, Rushenden, has raised about £13,200 and received backing from top celebrities including TV presenter Lorraine Kelly.

Summa's cousins set up the Go Fund Me page on Friday evening to raise the money needed for expensive treatment for the rare illness, which about 400 people have been diagnosed with in the world.

A fundraising page has been set up to raise money for the treatment Summa needs
A fundraising page has been set up to raise money for the treatment Summa needs

One of her cousins, Holli Godden, said: "We cannot put into words how much it all means to have this amount of support.

“We only started fundraising on Friday evening and we’re hoping to reach the half way mark by this weekend.

“We are now selling raffle tickets for a fun day at the Co-Op Club in Sheerness on March 9.”

Lorraine Kelly has backed the fundraising page. Picture: Google
Lorraine Kelly has backed the fundraising page. Picture: Google

Since it launched, the fundraising page has attracted support from 2008 Olympic gold medallist boxer James DeGale, Sheppey’s British Superbike champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne and former England goalkeeper Ben Foster.

The NHS has said it will administer intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) as long as she can pay for the five doses needed, costing £6,500 each, making the fundraising target £32,500.

Summa in hospital after she was diagnosed with Susac's syndrome
Summa in hospital after she was diagnosed with Susac's syndrome

Summa has also received a course of chemotherapy, in the hope that it might subdue the condition.

However it has left her immune system weak meaning she contracted Tuberculosis (TB). The medication for TB cannot be taken with the traditional medicine for Susac’s syndrome.

Summa with daughter Jasmine
Summa with daughter Jasmine

Therefore she is forced to opt for the specialist IVIG treatment.

Luke Blanshard has also offered to run the London Marathon in support of the appeal.

To donate visit www.gofundme.com/support-summa039s-fight-for-life-against-susac039s.

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