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'I WON'T MISS MY FOOT'

Desperate gymnast begs for donations for £10,000 amputation after NHS refuses to end leg ‘agony’

Aspiring Paralympian Jessica Laughton has been plagued by 'constant pain' in her left leg for the last ten years - but docs will not help her

A WOULD-be Paralympian has launched a crowd-funding appeal to get her leg amputated.

Jessica Laughton, 22, who was a star gymnast at school, says she has been in agony since breaking her left foot in a contest at 12.

Aspiring Paralympian Jess Laughton has launched a crowd-funding campaign to raise the £10,000 she will need to get a leg amputation after the NHS refused to relieve her leg agony
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Aspiring Paralympian Jess Laughton has launched a crowd-funding campaign to raise the £10,000 she will need to get a leg amputation after the NHS refused to relieve her leg agonyCredit: © Glen Minikin
She broke her left foot in a gymnastics contest aged 12 and has struggled with mobility ever since
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She broke her left foot in a gymnastics contest aged 12 and has struggled with mobility ever sinceCredit: � Glen Minikin
The NHS has said cutting off the leg may not end Jess's pain - but decades of ops have failed to end her misery
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Decades of operations on her painful leg have failed to end her miseryCredit: � Glen Minikin

The NHS refuses to cut off her lower leg. She needs £10,000 to fund a private operation.

Desperate Jess told how a decade of ops have failed to end her hell. She said: “The pain is constant. I’m stuck in bed 24/7.

“I can’t get into a wheelchair, go outside or get into the car. I won’t miss my left foot.”

Jess was a star gymnast in school but her debilitating condition put her sporting career on hold
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Jess was a star gymnast in school but her debilitating condition put her sporting career on holdCredit: � Glen Minikin
She is desperate to get back to the sport but says the only option is to do it as an amputee as her foot injury is so chronically painful
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She is desperate to get back to the sport but says the only option is to do it as an amputee as her foot injury is so chronically painfulCredit: � Glen Minikin
She is sure she "wouldn't miss" the foot that leaves her in constant pain
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She is sure she "wouldn't miss" the foot that leaves her in constant painCredit: © Glen Minikin
The operation will cost £10,000, which Jess cannot afford on her own
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The operation will cost £10,000, which Jess cannot afford on her ownCredit: � Glen Minikin
The NHS says amputation may not end Jess's pain so it has refused to cut the leg off
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The NHS says amputation may not end Jess's pain so it has refused to cut the leg offCredit: © Glen Minikin

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Jess, of Cranswick, East Yorks, said of her Paralympics ambition: “I’m naturally competitive.”

A spokesman for the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, which has treated her, said: “Amputation is an extremely radical option which is not guaranteed to resolve her pain.”

Jess’s online appeal is at

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