A SINGLE mother who was given three months to fundraise for a life-saving operation has seen her campaign dealt a devastating blow by Brexit.
Jessica Kill, 38, who used to live in Redhouse and Cricklade, has Craniocervical instability, a condition where the skull slowly crushes the neck, leading to pain and eventual paralysis.
To stop this happening, Jess needs complex neurosurgery and had to find £150,000 for the specialist op, only available in the USA.
But the sudden drop in the value of sterling after the EU referendum means she needs to raise an additional £17,000 for the surgery or risk running out of time to have the operation.
Jess has also found out she needs a second operation meaning she now has to find a total of £180,000 by the provisional date of her operation on August 10.
She has raised £124,000 in 10 weeks.
Jess said: “It has been a blow.
"We were almost there and then something completely out of our control meant the surgery went up by thousands of dollars.
“My health is deteriorating so my doctor has told me I need to get the operation as soon as possible.
“I was hoping to have the second operation in the UK but I can’t find a surgeon who will do this for me so it must be done in the US.
“I am so grateful for all the support so far, I am focused on fundraising and aiming on getting there by August.”
To donate to Jess’ operation go to www.youcaring.com/jessica-kill-559740#.Vx-5LR0ROUV.facebook
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