£10,000 TO FLY ILL DAD HOME
FAMILY’S DESPERATE BID TO BRING SERIOUSLY ILL HOLIDAYMAKER HOME FROM SPAIN
A 60-YEAR-OLD holidaymaker is stranded abroad after falling seriously ill and being put into a coma – and now his family are facing a £10,000 bill to get home.
Clive Hewins, from Llantwit Major, and his partner Jenny Preece set off on their week-long holiday to Majorca in Spain on Thursday, May 17.
But Mr Hewins, who suffers from the chronic lung condition chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, fell ill the following day.
After finding it difficult to breathe, he went to the local pharmacy but was rushed to a private hospital nearby – costing the couple £600.
Sadly, his health started to deteriorate quickly and he was transferred to a public hospital where he was then put into an induced coma and put on life support.
But because Mr Hewins had not declared his medical condition – or his prescribed medication to the insurance company – his cover was void, meaning the family need to find the money to bring him home.
Mark Oldaker, Mr Hewins’ brother-inlaw, from Bridgend, said: “It’s been very stressful and upsetting for the family.
“Jenny, Clive’s daughter, flew out to see him. She’s had to take out a loan to cover some of the costs.
“She flew out on her own and while they do speak English, it’s hard getting all of the information across.
“We were told he was in the hospital and then heard he had been put into a coma.
“The family were told to fly over because it was hit and miss, so his daughter Jenny and my partner – Clive’s sister – flew from Bristol for 10 days but they couldn’t afford to stay longer.”
Mr Hewins’ medical treatment in Majorca is being covered by the European Health Insurance Card which gives holders the right to state-provided healthcare when staying temporarily in the European Economic Area.
However, unlike most travel insurance, this doesn’t cover the cost of flying home.
“He’s started to improve. He was slowly taken out of the coma and off the live support and has been put on a ventilator,” continued Mr Oldaker.
“We’re now trying to raise the money the family need to bring him back home because he needs doctors and the medical equipment with him.
“The insurance company quoted £60,000 and we don’t have money like that. We’ve found a quote for £9,000 and means he will be able to travel home by road because he can sit up now. The journey takes four days and they’ll cross either by ferry or the Eurotunnel.
“It’s still money we don’t have so we’re hoping to raise enough through the fundraising page.”
Since setting up the GoGetFunding page, the family have raised £3,250 out of the £10,000 target and it’s hoped that Mr Hewins will be transported home over the weekend, arriving back in Bridgend on Monday.