Leighton Buzzard girl raises £760 to say thank you to Coeliac UK for helping poorly sister

Bethany Field, seven, recently completed 365 laps of Vandyke bike track to raise funds for Coeliac UK, which researches and provides advice on the condition. Last June, her little sister Jessica, now two, was very poorly and had to be admitted to Milton Keynes Hospital for tests. So, with it being the anniversary of Jessica’s courageous fight, it seemed like a fitting time to take on a challenge.

Mum Angela, 37, said: “We were talking about how it was one whole year since Jessica was in hospital and saying look where she is now.

“Bethany had also seen stories about Captian Tom Moore and bits and pieces on the news about charities that were not able to do as much fund-raising.

“She was so determined, bless her, and so excited. To raise the amount she has is 
incredible. We’re very proud.”

Before Jessica was tested in hospital she had become very poorly. She was bloated but losing weight, sick, lethargic, had a loss of appetite and became very withdrawn.

However, after ten days in Milton Keynes Hospital, Jessica was finally able to go home with a diagnosis of Coeliac Disease, meaning she could no longer eat foods containing gluten.

Remembering Jessica’s struggle, Angela said: “It was very hard for Bethany. Jessica was not being as interactive, at that age they liked to dance around together, but Jessica didn’t want to do that any more. She was just really lethargic. When she was in hospital Bethany would make her things or bring her a cuddly toy.”

Now, Jessica has come on leaps and bounds, and thanks to a Coeliac UK app, the family can scan food to see if it is suitable for Jessica to eat.

Bethany, who loves to scan the items, said: “It was really nice to help people like Jessica. My mum said we should do it at the bike track and my favourite part was the big drop at the start.”

Coeliac Disease is a condition where the immune system attacks the body’s tissues when eating gluten. To find out more: www.coeliac.org.uk

To donate, visit: www.gofundme.com/f/bethany039s-campaign-for-coeliac-uk