A LITTLE girl whose mystery illness has prompted a global search for help is to undergo a major operation to help keep her alive.

Fifteen-month-old Harriet Gregory was born unable to suck or swallow and underwent an emergency tracheotomy to enable her to breathe. She has to be fed through a nasal tube.

She has developed a curve in her back which is crushing her internal organs and spends 24 hours a day hooked up to machines.

Her parents, Lesley, 37, and Jason, 40, say doctors have been unable to tell them what is wrong with their little girl and have been putting out international appeals for help.

Last month, they decided against putting Harriet through the ten-hour operation to correct her spine amid fears she might die during the procedure or become stuck on a life support machine.

But the couple, of Arnhem Terrace, Spondon, said they were now going through with surgery because they were concerned she might not be well enough next year.

Jason said: "It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do.

"Lesley didn't want to make the decision so I did in the end. It won't cure her but it may help her live longer.

"It could kill her but, if she doesn't have it, she might suffocate – so you really can't win."

Harriet, who suffers from scoliosis in her spine which is thought to be causing a deformity in her chest, will have the operation in late September.

Jason said it is likely she will need a machine to help her to breathe for several weeks afterwards.

Her parents have also sent off blood samples from themselves and their daughter to an expert America in the hope of shedding some light on Harriet's condition.

The youngster's medical files and MRI scans are also being sent.

Jason said: "Harriet's condition comes close to various illness but, when she is tested for them, the results always come back negative.

"It means we still don't know what is wrong with her and how we can help her."

In July, Lesley and Jason set up the Help Harriet Trust Fund to raise money for their daughter's care, treatment and research.

It has already raised around £2,000 – its first event raised £700.

The event, organised by Sarah Conway, of Long Eaton, saw a group dress up as schoolchildren and tour the town with buckets.

Jason said the family are aiming to find £20,000 to build Harriet her own bedroom downstairs.

He said: "It will be somewhere where we can keep all of Harriet's equipment together and it will have a little washroom to make it easier to bathe her.

"It will also be easier on her because she won't have to keep going upstairs and downstairs all the time."

To donate to Harriet's fund, visit www.helpharriet.org.