World first as surgery for Jessica could stop deadly and rare illness

HOPES BRAIN OP WILL HELP GIVE OTHERS A CHANCE TO BEAT BATTEN

IF YOU fancy a last-minute trip to London this weekend there are returns from Newcastle available for £20.

Virgin East Coast has launched a “hot cakes” sale with £10 train fares each way between Newcastle and the capital, with £5 tickets to passengers looking at other destinations.

But you’ll have to act fast, as the cheapest tickets go quickly and the sale is for passengers looking to travel tomorrow and on Sunday.

At the time of writing, it is possible to get a train from Newcastle Central to King’s Cross early tomorrow afternoon, and return on Sunday afternoon, for £20.

Single £5 fares to and from Edinburgh are also available as are discount tickets to other stations up and down the East Coast Mainline.

But, as said before, the fares will go quickly, so if you want to take advantage of the bumper deal, be quick!

Visit https://www. virgintrainseastcoast.com/ juneflash to snap them up.

The sale ends at noon today, with limited numbers of the cheapest seats available. Reporter SHE may be just one-year-old, but little Jessica Rich is already changing the world.

The Throckley tot has become the youngest person ever to receive groundbreaking treatment for rare and currently incurable - Batten disease.

Brave Jessica was revealed to be a carrier of the killer condition after her older sister Nicole was diagnosed with it last year.

Nicole is currently five but her parents were told she would be unlikely to make it into her teens as the cruel condition robs her of the ability to move, see and function normally before ending her life prematurely.

Her parents Gail, 39, and Matthew, 29, were then dealt another cruel blow when they learned Jessica was also a Batten carrier.

While Jessica is currently asymptomatic, she could quickly become immobile like her older sister.

The family, who also have a six-yearold son Louis, were offered new hope when Nicole clinched a place on a trial for a new enzyme replacement therapy that could add years to her life.

And now Jessica has started receiving the same treatment as her big sister after getting onto a sibling trial in Hamburg, Germany.

Last week Jessica underwent groundbreaking brain surgery to have a device fitted, so she can start receiving the treatment.

The eyes of the medical world will now be on Jessica to see to see if giving the treatment early to a healthy child could stop the symptoms of Batten ever presenting themselves.

“It is difficult to put into words what we are feeling right now, said proud mum Gail.

“Jessica has been given this opportunity and we can’t describe how grateful we are.

“To have the chance to stop this dreadful disease before it has taken hold of our beautiful little daughter is just the most incredible thing.

“Our girls are made of tough stuff, part-warrior, part-princess.”

Gail said Jessica’s surgery could have “enormous” significance for the Batten community.

“Jessica’s surgery was a world-first and will pave the way for this kind of operation and treatment for younger children who are diagnosed early with this condition.

“We are so proud to be part of such a positive step forward as a part of our journey.”