A woman facing a heart and lung transplant has been granted her dearest wish - the chance to see her daughter's face light up for Christmas.

Karen Biffon has travelled for miles hunting down a prized Furby toy for her daughter, despite the fact she could be called into hospital any day for a much-needed transplant.

Now a good Samaritan has stepped forward to offer one of the cuddly animals, after a desperate plea in This Is Essex feeder paper the Echo.

Despite being on the critical list for a donor, Karen has been trying to get the number one toy this Christmas for four weeks.

But despite increasingly frantic shopping runs, she found they were in very short supply.

Karen, of Blackmores, Laindon, has been all over Southend, Brentwood, Lakeside and Basildon searching for a Furby.

She even queued outside Toys R Us in Ipswich to try and get the toy for her 10-year-old daughter Leeanne but didn't get inside the doors because people had slept outside the store overnight.

Karen called the Echo's Talkback line appealing for help to find one and her plea was heard by Monique Parsons of Chevers Pawen, Pitsea.

Mrs Parsons bought two Furbies for her 13-year-old daughter Danielle and decided to make Karen's Christmas by letting her have one at cost price.

Karen, 39, has suffered from primary pulmonary hypertension for 11 years. Her home has special tubing to pump oxygen round which she has to breathe in for four hours a day through a mask.

She said: "Leeanne has been so good and always comes to all the hospitals with me. All the nurses in the A & E department at Basildon Hospital know her.

"I was adamant that I was going to get her a Furby for Christmas as she wants one so badly and deserves it."

Mrs Parsons, who is a volunteer worker for the court witness service said: "Danielle really wanted one for Christmas.

"In November I ordered two from Tandy in Basildon because the Furbies can talk to each other.

"When I read in the Echo about this woman my heart went out to her."

While a Furby may have been found for her daughter, Karen's personal ideal Christmas present would be a donor.

She said: "That would be the best Christmas present ever."

Gift - Monique Parsons hands a Furby over to Leeanne Biffen, 10

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

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