Leah Bracknell needs to raise more money for her life-saving cancer treatment.
The former ‘Emmerdale’ actress – who starred as Zoe Tate on the ITV soap – revealed earlier this month that she has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer by doctors, but subsequently launched a fundraising campaign in the hope of receiving treatment at a cutting-edge hospital in Germany.
And though she achieved her £50,000 target from public donations via an online page, she has admitted she needs more money as she will need "several" sessions of treatment and the initial outlay will only cover her first visit to the European clinic.
She wrote on her Facebook page: "Not in Germany yet, as there are many procedures to undergo first. But everything is moving in the right direction.
"The fundraising will still be continuing, as the initial target will likely cover only my initial visit, and it is more than likely I may need several more."
Leah – who is now a yoga teacher – also thanked her fans for their outpouring of "love and concern".
She posted: "I cannot tell you how healing it is to be the recipient of such love and concern. It takes my breath away.
"Please know how grateful I am, and how I appreciate each and every message."
Leah previously explained her health situation on her fundraising page, admitting her symptoms had come on very suddenly.
She wrote: "Just over 5 weeks ago, I was feeling perfectly well, fit and healthy. Teaching yoga classes and workshops, it was a time of new beginnings: preparing to move house, youngest child fleeing the nest, and excited to be starting rehearsals for a comedy play, being back onstage, going on tour.
"But, it turns out that the universe had other plans. Life was about to be unexpectedly turned on its head.
"I began to feel breathless climbing stairs … I just put it down to a bit of stress. My abdomen suddenly ballooned – and within a matter of a few days I looked heavily pregnant. I could barely walk or breathe. Then, one Saturday night at the beginning of September I ended up in A&E. (sic)"
The mother-of-two had an emergency procedure to remove excess fluid from around her heart, but was subsequently diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.
She said: "A fairly brutal and bleak diagnosis but one I am determined to challenge and see from the perspective of "a glass half full", going against a lifetime of pessimism, negativity and fear!!!!
"By the way, please imagine me writing this and speaking in quite an upbeat and cheerful voice. Do NOT imagine me sitting here writing through a veil of tears. I am not. Or feeling sorry for myself. I am not (yet). (sic)"
She added: "My priority is getting well and strong, so that I can continue to endeavour to be a good, mother, daughter, wife, or at least the best I can be."
Leah Bracknell needs to raise more money
