Travellers get behind appeal for young mum Clarajane's life saving operation

A CAMPAIGN to raise funds for a young mum-of-two who needs a life-saving double lung transplant is gathering momentum.

Romany people from across the world have clubbed together to raise funds for Clarajane Penfold, who had been told by doctors that without the groundbreaking operation she would have four to five years to live.

Local news in Surrey, the county where Clarajane lives, has reported how last August, doctors told the 32-year-old mother to Shane, 9, and daughter Dion, 7, that she was "not a suitable candidate" for a transplant, and that she should "go away and enjoy her life".

"Dion keeps crying and saying he doesn't want mummy to die, but I say I'm getting this operation. I just want to be with my kids. They are babies and I don't want them to grow up without a mother," she told news website Get Surrey.

Clarajane has suffered from polyarticular rheumatoid arthritis since she was a young girl. She has since developed obliterative bronchiolitis and bronchiectasis which have cause irreparable damage to her lungs. 

She has had to sell her home and possessions in order to raise money towards the £800,000 required to enable her to have the groundbreaking operation in North Carolina, USA. 

"The support has been unbelievable," she told journalist Jennifer Maxfield. "The good thing about the Gypsy community is we are one big family and we stick together no matter what."

"It's unbelievable how many events, raffles, sponsored walks, and just donations have happened, and how the Travelling community is pulling together," Clarajane's cousin Tory Gaskin told Travellers' Times.

"Just type in her name in Facebook and take a look. The Facebook group got 8,000 members in the first day alone," said Tory.

If you want to donate money or organise a fundraising event, please contact clarajanepenfold@aol.com

Visit the Clarajane Penfold Facebook page to find out more information about her appeal.