Fundraising bid to help Wigan teen with rare condition

Jade Almond, from Abram, was rushed into hospital after she was unable to walk or concentrate following a bang on the head during a Duke of Edinburgh award project.

Doctors at Salford Royal concluded she hadfunctional neurological disorder (FND), which has left the 16-year-old Wigan Athletic Ladies youth team goalkeeper unable to control her right leg and suffering frequent collapses.

After a week in hospital and more than a fortnight’s recovery at her Kearns Close home Jade is now hoping to go for treatment at a residential centre in Sheffield.

However, her family has had to launch a Gofundme page to help meet the £365 per day cost, raising more than £1,400 in 24 hours.

Jade’s mum Michelle said: “I can’t believe the response, it has been amazing.

“If you looked at her, it would seem like she has MS or Parkinson’s. Travelling to the hospital was just the worst.

“As soon as I picked up the phone I had a bad feeling.”

Jade fell ill after helping out at a community centre in Hindley during the Duke of Edinburgh qualification.

Friends have been visiting regularly to support and encourage Jade, who is battling to return to her passions for sport and drama and to be well enough to start studying A-level PE and a specialist football coaching course at Rainford Sixth Form in September.

To donate to the rehab fund click here