A TEENAGER has given away hundreds of pounds for his 18th birthday to help a young mother fly to the US for urgent medical treatment.

Paul Hughes, from Newton Aycliffe in County Durham, has donated the £680 he received for his 18th birthday to the Ann Teasdale Appeal.

The appeal, backed by The Northern Echo, has raised £20,000 to send mother-of-four Mrs Teasdale to the US for the treatment she desperately needs.

Mrs Teasdale has already had to have one leg amputated after contracting the rare condition Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSDS) following a simple bunion operation.

Now the illness has spread and she faces losing her other leg unless she receives revolutionary treatment from Dr Donald A Rhodes, based in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Supporters have reached their £20,000 target, but fundraising efforts are continuing because it is not known how long she will have to stay in the States.

Paul, who attends Durham Johnson School, decided to donate the money to the appeal after reading about it in The Northern Echo.

He said: "I didn't know Mrs Teasdale before I read about her and I don't know why I decided to do it.

"I'm just glad she's got what she needs to get over there."

Mrs Teasdale, 42, said she was touched when she was approached by Paul, who also bought a cuddly toy for her daughter Courtney..

She said: "His parents must think they've got one in a million, they must be so proud of him.

Meanwhile, fundraising events are continuing. The Territorial Army is planning a sponsored row in Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre on March 29.

Those taking part aim to complete the equivalent amount of miles between Newton Aycliffe and Texas.

Anyone interested in joining in is asked to contact Louise Fawcett on (01325) 321388.