A girl is left fighting for her life after contracting a deadly strain of E.coli from food she bought at a Christmas market.
Antonia, 17, from Buckinghamshire, has spent the past two weeks in intensive care after likely contracting STEC-HUS, caused by E-coli O157.
It is believed she contracted it at a market in Great Missenden.
She has undergone multiple surgeries – including one to remove part of her intestines – and a blood transfusion because her kidneys stopped working, forcing her to undergo dialysis.
Her older sister, Jemima Hay, started a GoFundMe and wrote: 'She is currently lucky to be alive and has continued to show amazing determination and strength throughout this time, despite immense stress, pain and trauma – all combined with an extreme phobia for fear. injections.'
Antonia was allowed to spend Christmas Day at home with her family – who did not leave her side – before returning to hospital on Boxing Day due to her kidney failure.
Antonia, 17, has been in intensive care for the past two weeks after likely contracting STEC-HUS, caused by e-coli O157
Antonia has undergone multiple surgeries – including one to remove part of her intestines – and a blood transfusion because her kidneys stopped working, forcing her to undergo dialysis.
Antonia is said to have contracted E.coli at a Christmas market in Great Missenden
Antonia's father posted a message on Facebook asking people if they were also experiencing similar symptoms
The pub where Antonia works also shared the Go Fund Me link
The student is the youngest person ever admitted to the ICU department where she is currently located.
Her father, Steve Hay, wrote on Facebook: 'To anyone who may have experienced food poisoning symptoms in a restaurant, establishment or market stall in Great Missenden during the Christmas Market, especially on or from November 25th, please PM me as my middle child daughter (17) fighting for her life after a serious bacterial infection (e-coli) which is suspected to have been something she ate around this time and we have strong theories but we just need to know if anyone else has suffered from ANY stomach level issues or illness (including stomach cramps or diarrhea 1-10 days afterwards). Public Health / Bucks Health / UKHSA all informed.'
Antonia, an aspiring actress, worries about how this will affect the rest of her life and career and feels like her 'dreams have been ripped away' as she cannot continue with her performing arts degree.
The family also currently has no income, because her father is not paid for taking leave.
Jemima said: 'Anyone who has met Antonia knows she is the most friendly, caring, outgoing person and lights up any room she enters.
“Despite going through the hardest time of her life, all she cares about is everyone and how they feel, while still trying to make everyone laugh.”
According to the NHS, only a small number of people develop HUS from this E.coli strain.
You can contract this specific strain by eating contaminated food, touching infected animals, having contact with others who are infected, and drinking or swimming in contaminated water.
The page has currently surpassed its £5,000 target in just 24 hours and has now raised almost £8,000.
Her father Steve said Antonia contracted E.coli around November 25, when a Christmas market was taking place in Great Missenden (pictured).
People took to Facebook to wish Antonia a speedy recovery
The family thanked the public for their generosity, adding: 'This money will help her immensely with her ongoing treatments, recovery and costs, including following her performing arts dreams.'
The pub where Antonia works, The Britannia in Marlow, posted on their page and wrote: 'Many of you here have had the pleasure of meeting or being served by Antonia.
“Unfortunately, she recently became seriously ill, and now we want to do our part and care for her, in the same way she has cared for her colleagues and guests since joining Britannia.
'If you can donate, please do so, or help us raise awareness. We hope you get better soon Antonia.'
The establishment also hosted a disco fundraising event on Christmas Eve to raise money for the page.
Thirty Britons recently fell ill due to an E. coli outbreak linked to artisanal cheese.
Four varieties of Mrs Kirkham's Lancashire cheese have been urgently recalled and issued with a 'do not eat' warning due to fears of contamination.
They all tested positive for a specific strain called 0145, which was feared to lurk in the cheese.
- To donate to Antonia's GoFundMe, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-antonia-during-this-tough-time