A COMMUNITY is rallying round to help an East Lothian family as their daughter fights for her life on the other side of the world.

Mekala Osborne, a 22-year-old personal trainer, fell ill with bronchial pneumonia while travelling through Vietnam with a friend.

Mekala, who stays on Dury Way, Wallyford, with her mum Yvonne, stepdad Jimmy and 16-year-old brother Danny, had visited the area before and worked three jobs to raise the money to go back there.

After spending three weeks in Vietnam, she phoned her parents complaining of a sore throat.

Stepdad Jimmy McAulay told the Courier: “We thought it might be air pollution, so I recommended that she get one of those face masks that protects your nose and mouth.

"After a few days it got worse. She went along to a doctor who gave her antibiotics and painkillers. Soon after, she ended up in hospital as it has ended up in her chest.”

Mekala is currently in an intensive care ward in Hoi An after being put into an induced coma.

A JustGiving page has been set up in order to help Mekala’s mother, Yvonne, travel to Vietnam to be by her daughter’s side.

To donate to Mekala’s family, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/david-martin-125

Jimmy was unable to go as Danny was born with Bardet Biedl Syndrome and requires care.

The page has already raised more than £5,000 to help enable Yvonne to stay over in Vietnam with Mekala.

Jimmy said that he was in awe of the response the page received, adding: “It was really humbling and amazing. People say there’s no such thing as community anymore but there must be. Everyone has been really supportive.”