A woman who appealed to the public for help to pay for overseas medical treatment said she was over the moon after she exceeded her £6,500 goal – $7,787 – in only a week.

Mickia Brangman raised £6,875 through a GoFundMe page to help her enrol in a six-week programme in the UK.

Ms Brangman, 33, who suffers from malnutrition and liver problems, said that she felt “a little overwhelmed” by the support.

She added: “I’m so happy to have reached that amount because I know that once I get out there I won’t have to worry about medical expenses.”

Ms Brangman said: “There have been people with similar issues just calling and recommending what they’ve done with their medical problems.

“I’m really thankful for all the help.”

Ms Brangman has suffered for 12 years from gut bacteria problems that stopped her body’s absorption of nutrients.

She also discovered at the start of the year that her liver had absorbed a dangerous amount of heavy metals that had poisoned it.

The former sailing instructor with the Endeavour youth programme started a GoFundMe on January 5 to raise cash to travel to the UK for treatment.

The page attracted 79 donations in about seven days.

Ms Brangman thanked Peter Everson, a businessman and former president of the Chamber of Commerce, who donated $1,000 – the largest single donation.

She said: “That was so generous of him – he didn’t have to give all of that so it was a really big deal for me.”

Ms Brangman admitted that she was still raising cash for travel expenses and was trying to land another job.

She added that she and other family members had organised a potluck at the Mid Atlantic Boat and Sports Club in Devonshire to raise more money.

The potluck will be held on January 22 between 4pm and 8pm and feature a plate of food for $20.

Ms Brangman earlier appealed to people to be careful about their diet and take care of their bodies.

She added yesterday: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”