Family to fly to Mexico to treat baby's rare condition after raising £80,000

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A one-year-old with a rare genetic condition will fly with her family to Mexico for stem cell therapy after supporters raised over £80,000 to fund it.

Celine Lawrence was born with myotonic dystrophy, which causes progressive muscle weakness, and spent the first six months of her life on a ventilator.

There is no cure and Celine's immune system will never be fully developed, but her parents Lottie Mears and Charlie Lawrence from Colchester in Essex hope stem cell therapy will slow its progression after a GoFundMe page raised enough money.

Ms Mears, 36 and Mr Lawrence, 35, will fly to Mexico on 14 January as the treatment is not approved for the condition on the NHS.

Ms Mears said: "We don't know exactly what will change with her, but we know there will be some improvement and anything would be beneficial.

"It's really surreal. We're really excited but also terrified and anxious - even though we know it's safe, it's still terrifying for us because she's our baby.

"But there's also huge excitement with the potential of what this could mean for her. It's totally worth it."

Celine weighed just 1lb 14oz when she was born at 27 weeks in December 2023. Credit: Charlotte Mears

The family hopes to raise £200,000 in total to fund more treatment, as Celine could require one round each year indefinitely.

They have raised £86,000 since July, starting with a 100km walk from Colchester Town Hall to Trafalgar Square in central London in 24 hours.

Celine waved the walkers off and greeted them at the finish line, which her parents said was "really emotional", and has and spurred on other fundraising events.

Ms Mears added: "It really does restore your faith in humanity; everyone gets together and supports you and we can't put a price on that or thank people enough."

Celine's parents feared she wouldn't live to her first birthday, calling it a "massive milestone" that supporters helped them to reach. Credit: Charlotte Mears

The couple had the chance to thank their supporters by inviting them all to Celine's first birthday party in December, which her parents were told she may not survive to see.

"It was just a really lovely moment to share with them because her getting to her first birthday is a massive milestone," said her mother.

"I made a New Year's wish last year that she would still be with us this year - it's been really magical to be honest."

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