The mother of a girl stranded in Mexico with cancer has told how her daughter's condition deteriorated rapidly and she is now on a life-support machine.
Olivia Downie was flown to Tijuana, Mexico, for specialist treatment, but doctors believe the procedure has failed.
Her family, from Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, have pleaded for donations so they can pay for a specialist £140,000 private jet to fly the seven-year-old home.
Because of the girl's condition, she needs hi-tech equipment with her at all times, which only a private jet can facilitate.
Meanwhile, Olivia's condition continues to deteriorate and one of her lungs has collapsed, prompting doctors to keep her alive on a life-support machine.
Mrs Downie and husband Steven are desperate to have their daughter surrounded by family and friends.
Mrs Downie said yesterday: "She's on life support. I went down to see her and it was like she wasn't even there, because of all the tubes and wires.
"She's on oxygen, she has tubes down her throat and her eyes are taped shut."
Olivia, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma three years ago, has been refused permission to fly unless a specialist medical flight is prepared.
A massive fundraising campaign has been launched and already more than £42,000 has been pledged on Olivia's Just Giving page.
Mrs Downie said: "I can't believe all the support. Someone has said the Just Giving has doubled in less than 24 hours. I can't believe it."
But the family still need to raise another £100,000 if they are to afford the private jet.
Mrs Downie, 27, said the medical staff in Tijuana were doing all they could to ensure Olivia, who is big sister to 22-month-old Jessica, was strong enough to make the journey.
She said: "They're going to try as best as they can to get her in a stable enough condition to get her home. But I don't know when she'll wake up – or if she'll wake up."
Mrs Downie, who is also 25 weeks pregnant, said she prays for a miracle every day and clings on to hope that her daughter's condition will improve.
She said: "I did get a very slight response from her. She has this thing where she shakes her arm in a 'I'm not going to be beaten by this' way.
"I was trying to talk to her and get a smile from her. I was telling her that if cancer was a person I would beat him up, even though I've got a big belly like an Easter egg.
"That was when she opened her eyes slightly."
Fighting back the tears, she revealed that the ordeal of watching their daughter suffering was taking its toll on the whole family.
The pregnant mother is suffering from severe back pain and headaches due to the stress.
Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/ olivia-downie-appeal
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