The family of a diabetes sufferer who is too weak to receive the organ transplants she needs have launched a fundraising appeal to make her more comfortable at home.

Deal mum Jodie Christie, 40, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 17 - a year into her relationship with now husband, professional wedding photographer David Christie.

She has spent the last three years in and out of the Marlowe Ward at Kent and Canterbury Hospital.

As well as developing Crohn’s, reflux disease, circulation problems resulting in the recent loss of her wedding finger and some sight loss, she has also suffered a heart attack.

The medical incident last month put her hopes of a kidney and pancreas transplant further back with her name unable to go on the transplant list until she has gained better strength.

Last Friday, after two months in hospital, the mum of two and animal lover was able to return to her Marlborough Road home.

The day before her daughter Nicole, 17, and friend Tracey Beal, launched an online appeal ‘Reach Out’ to raise funds for home adaptations to make her as comfortable as possible.

Within 10 hours of it going live, Deal Mobility in Queen Street had measured up and fitted a stair lift for free.

A wheelbarrow of alcohol raffle is now ongoing with at least £600 already raised which will go towards a wet room estimated to cost about £3,000.

Mr Christie, who owns Crystal Memories Photography, said: “People underestimate how serious Type 1 diabetes is.

“Television programmes and a lot of stuff in the media is generally about Type 2 so people associate it with bad diets and being overweight.

“But it’s not, it’s horrendous and there’s nothing you can do.

“The last three years for Jodie have been really bad. Everything seems to have gone wrong at the same time.

“She’s started losing her eyesight, her kidneys have failed and they’re not sure what it is that keeps making her sick. Her life has been either in hospital or sick in bed.

“The surgeon has told her that because it’s got to this stage, she’s in danger of another heart attack, stroke and damage to the brain.

“But we’re helpless. Even if I was a billionaire, I couldn’t take the pain away.”

Mr Christie explained how his wife’s changing sugar levels mean she can pass out and fit. On other occasions he’s awoken in the night to find she has slipped into a coma.

She requires insulin injections five times a day. Currently she suffers with constant sickness and is on dialysis three times a week.

Now home, she relies on daily visits from nurses but a stair lift and a wet room will offer her some independence and freedom.

Mr Christie said: “She needs a new kidney and pancreas. She’s not on the transplant list. Having the heart attack has now put that massively out of reach. We have to hope that her heart repairs itself and that she doesn’t have another one and the make her strong enough for an operation. At the moment that’s not an option.”

The teen sweethearts who met at Deal Secondary School will be familiar to many as wedding photographers.

Up until three years ago, Mrs Christie would be her husband’s assistant on shoots.

In 2015, together, they donated their time to capture the Calendar Girls of Deal calendar in aid of Breast Cancer Now.

Mr Christie continues to work up to 70 hours a week covering weddings and editing the shots in order to maintain his family home, in addition to visiting his wife in hospital most days.

The cost of travel and paying to park each time has also taken its toll.

Mr Christie said: “It’s really tough, awful. I’ve seen friends die from cancer and it’s torture but it’s a short period of time. It’s been agony, for all of us.”

The one positive he has taken from his wife’s diagnosis is that it’s made them live life to the fullest.

He said: “Although the illness has been horrendous, it’s improved our lives as where Jodie nearly died after going into a coma at a young age we’ve made an effort to do as much stuff and appreciate life.

“I’ve tried to take her to as many places as she wanted to go to.”

The pair married after nine years together on May 5, 2002 and have two children together, Callum 22 and Nicole,17.

Mr Christie said: “Jodie perfect in every way. She’s just always been a beautiful, lovely person who’d never say anything bad about anyone.

“She’s an excellent, loving mother who would do anything for her kids.”

The family praised the generosity of Deal Mobility and other donators.

Tickets to the raffle cost £5, from The Mill Inn, The Eagle, The Walmer Castle and The Stag pubs. It will be drawn live on Facebook on today.

Donations can be made through PayPal via jodie.christie@yahoo.com