A DESPERATE mother must raise £30,000 in six months or her severely disabled daughter could miss out on life-changing treatment.
Seven-year-old Isabella Cox suffers from a rare chromosome disorder that leaves her unable to walk, talk or eat, but mum Christine believes that specialist therapy in the US could radically improve her condition.
However, Christine, a police officer, and her partner estimate the ten-week trip will cost £30,000 which they must raise by September or risk missing out.
"The condition leaves her like a newborn baby, she's unable to communicate at all," said Christine, 33, who lives with Isabella and partner Tony in Bicknacre.
"If she gets a cold at the moment she's unable to even cough so she's had pneumonia every year since she's been born.
"She can't walk or eat.
"But after we were able to take her for a shorter course of the treatment in Florida there's been such a change. Now she can smile, giggle and play with her rattle."
The family know of only two other children in the world that suffer from the same condition, which has left Isabella blind, epileptic and with two holes in her heart.
In November 2012 an appearance on ITV show Surprise Surprise, after Christine secretly nominated her partner for recognition, led to gifts of free flights to the US and four weeks of treatment at the centre, and even kayaking equipment for Tony's 150-mile row of the Thames soon.
But the couple still need to raise thousands more if Isabella is to stay for the full ten weeks they believe she needs.
"While we were in America last time we met a family whose child had the same condition as Isabella but who had undergone this intensive therapy.
"Their child is now eating and walking which Isabella can't do, she's only just started sitting up by herself," added Christine.
"The problem is the flights from the TV show expire at the end of the year, so if we're going to raise the money and go for 10 weeks we need to do it by September."
The specialist treatment in physiotherapy, feeding and speech isn't currently available in the UK, so the family have numerous events planned over the coming months to get Isabella to the US, beginning with a bag-packing day at Asda in South Woodham Ferrers on April 6.
Then later in the month Tony and his friend Nick will be kayaking 150 miles along the Thames on April 29, while there are further plans for tandem skydives, and casino nights.
"We are on a deadline and so we just have to plan loads of events, and get this done," said Christine.
For further information on upcoming events and the chance to donate to Isabella's fund visit www.isabellasfund.com
