A NORTH-EAST mother is preparing to fly to the US for revolutionary treatment she hopes will save her leg.

Fundraisers for Ann Teasdale have announced they have banked enough money for her to receive specialist care from a doctor in Texas.

Although still a little short of the £20,000 target, supporters have sufficient funds to make arrangements for her to travel to the US in the next two weeks.

Mrs Teasdale, of Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, was overcome with emotion when her daughter, Louise Fawcett, gave her the news at a fundraising event in the North Briton pub, Aycliffe Village, at the weekend.

She said: "I can't believe that the money's been raised in such a short space of time. I'm still in cloud cuckoo land. People have been so nice."

Mrs Teasdale, 42, has already had one leg removed after developing the crippling condition Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSDS).

The illness, which she contracted after undergoing a bunion operation, has spread to her other leg and she is facing the prospect of a second amputation.

Determined to find a cure, Louise searched the Internet and found a doctor who specialises in RSDS.

Dr Donald A Rhodes says he believes his treatment can help Mrs Teasdale without having to remove her leg and is ready to start as soon as she arrives.

Mrs Teasdale said: "I'm quite scared about the whole thing because I'll be away for so long.

"Every time I've been sent to different hospitals I get my hopes built up, but it always ends in rejection so I've a big fear about that.

"I don't know what to expect when I get out there and I know it's not going to be easy, but I don't care about that if he can do something about it and take away this pain."

Louise is now making arrangements for flights and accommodation for Mrs Teasdale, husband Mick and daughter Angela.

She thanked everyone who had helped, but stressed that fundraising would continue because it was not known how long the treatment would last.