A TRAGIC series of events has led to a desperate search for a mother and her severely disabled daughter to find a home closer to their family on the Herefordshire border.

Since Jenna Measday’s 39-year-old sister, Emily fell and broke her spine, the mother of two from Walton has been urgently appealing for a suitable bungalow or ground floor flat for them to rent in the Kington or Presteigne area. A move from their home in Devon would mean that Jenna could provide much needed support for her 64-year-old mum, Sandie, a full-time carer for Emily who has cerebral palsy and learning difficulties.

In a cruel twist of fate, Emily suffered a serious injury during her mother’s brief stay with Jenna, when she had hoped to track down a suitable property nearby.

But the search was cut short when Sandie received the shock news about Emily’s fall while being cared for in Devon.

Since then she has been sleeping on a camp-bed in hospital to be near her daughter, but in that time their home has suffered significant damage as a result of the cold weather.

Jenna has a special needs’ child herself, and feels that the family would benefit from a move to this area for Sandie and Emily.

“We are doing what we can from a distance,” said Jenna, who gives home tutoring to her nine-year-old daughter, Lilliane, who has learning disabilities with autistic traits and found school too stressful.

Jenna has been overwhelmed with help from friends for her family’s plight, and she has been grateful at the level of support received through social media.

Jenna is all too aware that the effort to support a relative can be a “silent struggle”, and one experienced by large numbers of people across the country.

“Apart from two years in care, my sister has been cared for by our mother all her life,” said Jenna. Her friend, Laura Garibbo from Kington has proved to be “a rock”, she said.

Said Laura: “Sandie is 64 so she should be able to slow down by now, and if a house or flat could be found for her and Emily in this area, it would be wonderful.

“Our mission is to get them here.”

The two friends met while they were working as carers in Kington. “We have been friends for seven years and Jenna is my dearest friend, why wouldn’t I help?”

*Anyone able to help in the urgent search for a home for Sandie and Emily in the Kington or Presteigne area can contact Laura Garibbo at laura_2103@hotmail.co.uk