A family from the Isle of Wight has launched an urgent GoFundMe appeal to bring their seriously ill mum, Christine, home from Greece after she was airlifted to the nearest hospital whilst on a cruise.
Christine, described by relatives as a mum, nan, auntie and friend, is currently being treated in an ICU ward in Rhodes after becoming seriously ill while on a cruise.
After years of illness, Christine had finally felt well enough to fulfil a long-held dream of going on a cruise. Her family say she took out comprehensive travel insurance, declared all of her medical conditions and paid a premium to ensure she was fully covered.
However, after falling seriously ill on board, Christine was airlifted to Rhodes, where she has since been placed on a ventilator in intensive care.
According to her family, doctors in Rhodes are now unable to continue providing the level of care she requires, and she urgently needs to be repatriated to the UK.
Relatives claim that despite Christine declaring all of her medical conditions and being deemed fit to travel, her insurance company has refused to cover the cost of bringing her home.
The specialist medical flight required to safely repatriate Christine is said to cost £41,600 – a sum far beyond what the family can afford.
In a statement made on GoFundMe, family member and organiser, Laura Baxter said:
“Christine is our mum, nan, auntie, and friend, and right now she’s thousands of miles from home, in an ICU ward in Rhodes, and we need your help to bring her back to us.
“We are not people who ask for help easily. But we are asking now because Christine deserves to come home. She deserves to recover surrounded by the people who love her.
“Every pound brings her closer. And if you can’t donate, please share. The more people who see Christine’s story, the better chance we have.”
The family are now appealing for donations and support from the wider community in the hope of raising enough money to bring Christine back to the UK and closer to her loved ones.
Having currently raised £5,616 out of their £20,000 goal at the time of publishing, donations to help bring Christine home can be made here.
