A MOTHER is trying to hit a £20,000 fund-raising target in memory of her daughter on the first anniversary of her death.

It means that Sharon Breading and fellow volunteers have a fortnight to find £3,500 for the Emma's Life Appeal, which it is hoped will buy a kidney support machine for the Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath.

The appeal was launched in honour of Emma Breading, 19, who died from a pneumonia-related illness on February 25 last year.

It has so far made £16,500 and its supporters are confident of hitting their target.

They are holding an auction at the King's Head in London Road, Burgess Hill, on Thursday, February 18.

The group is keen to buy a machine which is used to take over the function of the kidneys when patients are seriously ill.

When Emma needed one, she had to be taken on a 40-mile trip to Guy's Hospital, London.

After hearing of her death, fund-raisers decided the Princess Royal should have a machine of its own.

Pub manager Barbara Smith said: "The trip to Guy's involved a very traumatic journey to London at a time when her condition was very grave.

"Her parents set up this fund so that other families will not have to be separated at a time when they most need to be together."

Emma's mother Sharon, of Royal George Road, Burgess Hill, said: "Unfortunately our daughter could not be on this machine. She had a cardiac arrest and had to go to Guy's.

"The machine acts as short-term kidney replacement. The appeal is going really well but we would like to hit our target by the anniversary of Emma's death.

"We will buy the machine and set it up with all the equipment in working order so there is nothing else for the hospital to buy.

"Our Emma always liked to help others and she always did things properly. That is what we want to do."

Barbara Smith would welcome any offers of articles to auction on 01444 232185.

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