‘We’re desperate to get her home’
A FUNDRAISING campaign has been launched to help bring a Tyneside grandmother back home after she collapsed while celebrating her 70th birthday in Spain.
Carol Tweedy, from Blakelaw, was on holiday in Majorca when she fell ill on May 29.
She had travelled to the Spanish resort on May 26 with her family, including partner Bryan Harding, her son Michael Tweedy, daughter Sarah Burleigh and their partners.
Her birthday is in November and the week-long break was planned to mark her 70th year.
But, three days after arriving in Majorca, she collapsed in their hotel lobby.
After being given first aid, she was taken to hospital by paramedics.
She was initially diagnosed with pneumonia but she went on to suffer a stroke and also a bleed on the brain.
She is continuing to fight for her life in intensive care, with Michael, an electrician, and Sarah, a teacher, by her side.
The family now want to bring Carol back home to Tyneside.
They say representatives for their insurance company, Alpha Travel Insurance, told them they were looking into Carol’s medical records but have not yet organised a flight home or paid out cash.
The company told The Chronicle that Carol’s health is a priority for it, and it will not make any decisions that could add complications to her recovery.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page has been set up online in the hope of collecting at least £15,500 to help fly Carol home and admit her to a North East hospital.
Debra Hodgson, Michael’s partner, of Wallsend, said the family extended their stay in Spain to help Carol, and Michael and Sarah were still there.
She said: “Since Carol fell ill she has been transferred to three different hospitals. She is currently in a hospital in Palma, in intensive care, and everyone is praying that she pulls through.
“Michael and Sarah have both been at her side and are worried out of their minds. They have had to stay off work and are trying to chase the insurance company.
“Sarah’s one-year-old baby Finley was also in Spain with us. Sarah brought him back to England and went straight back out again. Her husband John is looking after Finley while she is in Spain.
“They have also had to pay for the extra accommodation, travel and transport from hospital to hospital as well as the costs of living.
“Everyone wants Carol to come home. This fundraising page is so that we can pay for a private air ambulance and fly her back here.” A spokesperson from Emergency Assistance Facilities, on behalf of Alpha Travel Insurance, said: “We are aware of Mrs Tweedy’s admission to a hospital in Spain and understand this is a distressing time for her family.
“Our emergency team are liaising with the hospital and doing everything they can to ensure Mrs Tweedy gets the best possible treatment and care. Unfortunately, we are unable to release specific details surrounding this claim due to data protection restrictions.
“However, please be advised our medical team are working with the patient’s best medical outcome as priority. This is a complex case and we will not make any decisions that in the opinion of our travel and aviation medical specialists could add further complications to Mrs Tweedy’s recovery or general health.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation to the family can visit www.gofundme. com/wu9ufq-get-mum-home.