A youngster struck down by E.coli after visiting a Christmas market is “lucky to be alive”.

Antonia Hay spent two weeks in intensive care with Shiga toxin-associated haemolytic uraemic syndrome (STEC-HUS).

She has had a number of operations, together with having a part of her bowel eliminated.

It is assumed she could have contracted the bug at a festive truthful held in Great Missenden, Bucks.

Older sister Jemima mentioned Antonia, 17, was “lucky to be alive” and known as the scenario “an absolute nightmare”.

She wrote on GoFundMe: “[Antonia] has continued to show amazing determination and strength throughout this time. She is the youngest person to ever be admitted into the ICU ward."

“She is the most kind, caring, outgoing person and lights up any room she walks into."

“Despite going through the toughest time in her life, all she has cared about is everybody else and how they are feeling, still trying to make everybody laugh.”

Medics let Antonia spend Christmas Day at dwelling together with her household, who had not left her facet, earlier than she returned to the ward on Boxing Day because of her kidney failure.

Jemima fears that the harm could spoil dancer Antonia’s ambition to be an actress.

She added: “She feels as if her dreams have been ripped away from her. Her studies on her performing arts course will be severely impacted.”

Jemima is searching for funds for Antonia’s future and to cowl prices whereas their mother and father are out of labor. Their dad requested on-line if different individuals had related well being issues on the time.

His plea learn: “To anybody who could have skilled meals poisoning signs at any restaurant, institution or any market stall in Great Missenden throughout the Christmas Market, significantly on or from twenty fifth Nov, please are you able to [private message] me, as my center daughter (17) is combating for her life after a severe bacterial an infection (E-coli) suspected from consuming one thing round this time."

“Just need to know if anyone else was affected with any level of stomach issues or illness.”

The pub where Antonia works shared the GoFundMe link, writing: “We want to do our part and take care of her, the same way she has taken care of her colleagues and guests since joining the Britannia. Get well soon.”

The NHS says very few people develop STEC-HUS from this strain of E.coli. It can be caught by eating contaminated food, touching infected animals, via contact with contaminated people and by drinking, or swimming in, infected water.

The appeal beat its target of £5,000 in a day – last night the total was nearly £9,000. The family said: “This money will help her immensely with her ongoing treatment.”

Details at gofundme.com/f/support-for-antonia-during-this-tough-time