LONG-STANDING friends are behind a Christmas drive to help their pal who has a life-threatening condition.

Eleanor Kehoe, of Petersfield, and Jessica Kohn, from Durleigh Marsh near Rogate, are hoping that £30,000 can be raised to pay for their friend Laura Sylvester (23) to have a life-saving operation.

Laura’s twin, Rochelle, is doing all she can as well.

Until Laura became ill she was a keen sportswoman, especially enjoying netball.

It was through netball she and Eleanor met, Eleanor playing for Churcher’s College and Laura for Alton Convent School.

Eleanor, who used to work at the Queens Head pub in Sheet, said: “I have known Laura since we were 13, and she is one of the most amazing people I have met.

“She is now in constant pain and in fear of causing damage to her brain stem which would consequently cause her to stop breathing.

“This is devastating for her and her family, and we are trying to help all we can.”

Jess (23), also a former Churcher’s College student, said: “I’m spending as much time with her as possible. She is very special, we are doing as much as we can.”

Laura’s anguish began with severe and constant neck pain, numbness, loss of concentration and other debilitating symptoms.

She was diagnosed with a degenerative muscular condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), which only affects one in 10,000 people.

Laura, who had been studying at Imperial College in London but had to move home because of the effects of EDS, was told in November it was now life threatening.

But, she discovered, the only surgeon who can help is in Washington DC in the United States. He plans to fuse her skull to her spine and insert a permanent metal neck brace, so protecting her brain stem.

If the operation’s a success it will lift the ever-present threat of death, and she will become pain free, but unable to move her head or neck.

She said: “It won’t cure it but I may not be around for too long, it’s quite urgent.”

She is booked in for the potentially life-saving operation on January 13, but the all-in package costs £75,000.

The bill left her stunned, then Eleanor and Jess, who have been friends for around 12 years, and Rochelle suggested a public appeal.

“I was very reluctant, it’s a personal thing, I didn’t really want it out there, but they persuaded me to give it a go,” Laura added.

Her appeal went live at the start of December, and raised £45,000 very quickly.

Jess said: “It was astonishing, some very generous donations, from friends who don’t know Laura and from anonymous donors.

“But there is a long way to go, and not much time left.”

Rochelle added: “It has been very hard, seeing Laura’s life change in such a short time from that of a normal student, to someone needing life-saving surgery, it has brought home the seriousness of the situation.”

Visit Laura’s web page at www.youcaring.com/laura-sylvester-483048 to donate.