A WOMAN with Down's syndrome is facing the threat of violence in her native Malawi unless supporters in Bradford can raise £5,000 this week to stop the threat of deportation.

Memory Juma, 22, came to Bradford ten years ago after facing prejudice and suspicion in her village because of her condition.

Now, three years after her friends successfully fought a previous threat to deport her, supporters are facing another legal problem that could mean she is sent back Malawi and the possibility of being ostracised or attacked.

Ms Juma, her two younger siblings and their mum, who have asked not to be named, have until Friday to find £5,000 to pay for their applications - including the cost of a new NHS surcharge - as they ask the Home Office to renew its permission to stay.

The surcharge was brought in after the family was granted three years 'leave to remain' in 2012.

Non-EEA nationals who come to the UK to work, study or join family for a period of more than six months are required to pay the surcharge.

Supporter Dominic Wall, who has worked to safeguard Ms Juma's legal rights, said he was shocked to discover the fees to remain in the UK had risen.

Campaigners have already spent thousands on the case, but still need another £5,000 to cover visa application costs and other fees.

Mr Wall, who was Ms Juma's headteacher at Southfield Grange up to 2013, said: "Unless an additional £5,000 can be provided through the generosity of members of the community, there is a very serious risk that the Border Agency may issue a notice to remove the whole family and send them back to Malawi."

As a baby, Ms Juma was kept indoors by her grandma because of people's talk of witchcraft and of evil, according to her family.

As she got older, she was called a "witch-child".

Teachers and other supporters at Bradford College, where Ms Juma is a student, have already raised about half of the £5,000.

Tutor Alexandra Brophy-Bell said: "The people of Bradford have really pulled together, there is so much goodwill.

"Memory is a wonderful person who would be in danger if she went back."

A Home Office spokesman said: "The health surcharge ensures that temporary migrants make a proportionate contribution to the health services which they may access while in the UK.

"This is fair to applicants and to the rest of the public. It is set at £200 per year, and £150 per year for students.

"We have not received any fresh applications from Ms Juma."

To make a donation to The Friends of Memory Juma Fund, e-mail: d.wall@southfieldgrange.org.uk or call Mr Wall on 07527 013462.