Bethany Salmon, of Thornhill, was born with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis – a very rare genetic liver disease which affects just 30 children in the UK every year.

The condition causes liver failure and has left Bethany suffering from a wide range of unpleasant and painful symptoms.

Now her mother has given an emotional appeal urging people to sign the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Mum Sam Marston, 31, said: "Bethany feels sick and in pain on a daily basis. She suffers from exhaustion, lethargy and mobility problems and is on 13 different medications. Her tummy is very swollen due to the liver failure, her skin is very itchy and her lips, gums and nose bleed several times a day.

"It breaks my heart that she suffers so much and is so restricted in what she can do."

Bethany is due to start school this term and teachers at Overthorpe Junior, Infant and Nursery are making sure she is given regular breaks so she doesn't become too tired with a full day's schooling.

Sam said: "I think she is quite excited but she likes school. I don't think she realises how hard it is going to be."

The only cure for Bethany's condition is a liver transplant, which she will need in the next couple of years. Without one she will be lucky to live to secondary school age.

However, Sam is only too aware that with a shortage of donor organs in the UK, it is a chance that Bethany might never get.

She said: "My dream would be to see Bethany be able to do all the things her friends can, and to be able to enjoy them. A liver transplant is the only thing that can ever save and transform Bethany's life and it truly is the greatest gift anyone could ever give her. But at the same time I know that for Bethany to get this opportunity another family will have lost a loved one and my heart aches for them too."

Bethany has now starred in two videos released by UK charity 'Live Life Then Give Life' to promote organ donation. Sam said she hoped that anyone hearing about Bethany's situation would be inspired to sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register.




BETHANY'S family have raised nearly £800 for charity with their annual Christmas lights display.

The cash will go to the Sick Children's Trust, which helps families with very ill children by offering them accommodation near hospitals. The lights were switched on by Jane McHale of the trust, which runs Eckersley House, accommodation for parents in the grounds of St James' Hospital, Leeds.

Ms Marston said Eckersley House is a lifeline to her family when Bethany is being treated.

Another grateful user of the Sick Children's Trust's services is Dewsbury South councillor Masood Ahmed, who joined revellers at the switch-on. The charity supported him when his six-year-old son, who later died, was being treated in Sheffield.

The Salmon family are accepting donations to the Christmas In Thornhill collection until January 6. To donate, visit http://christmasinthornhill.