Inara's treatment trip near as funds flow toward goal

Rangiora toddler Inara Herdman could be making a life-changing trip to Europe as early as February as fundraising efforts for her treatment gear up.

Funds to send the the frail little 2-year-old to a specialist clinic in Austria where it is hoped she will be taught how to eat properly have reached more than $48,000, with just a further $12,000 to $15,000 required.

Inara was born with congenital defects and needs to be fed automatically with formula pumped directly into her stomach.

Parents Bonnie and Ryan Herdman want to send their daughter to the specialist No Tube Clinic in Graz because the treatment she requires is not available in New Zealand.

Ms Lintott said plans to seek treatment in Australia fell through after they learnt a clinic there was not accepting children from other countries.

She said Australian medical authorities had been paying to send tube-fed children to Austria since 2007 and this year successfully treated two groups of children using the Graz method in Melbourne and Brisbane.

"They are doing this for children who cannot fly safely to Graz, but will not take on children outside Australia," Ms Lintott said.

"This is unfortunate for us, but has encouraged us to push the medical professionals here even further to consider looking into it as a possibility for children here in New Zealand."

Ms Lintott said she and Ryan were planning to get Inara to Graz in February or March depending on her health.

"Inara will not be able to fly safely if at all unwell and we will have to get a medical clearance before leaving," she said.

With only one functioning lung, Inara would need to have oxygen during the flight and be monitored closely, with an array of medical equipment accompanying her.

Ms Lintott said anonymous donations were arriving every week "and it's amazing the support we are still getting".

"We are almost there, thanks to the amazing love and support we are continuing to receive from all around the world," she said.

"But most of it is coming directly from Cantabrians that just want to help and contribute in some way to get our wee Inara eating."