£50k raised to help dad after accident
A FUNDRAISING campaign to support the family of a dad left paralysed in a freak holiday accident has raised more than £50,000.
Father-of-two Keith Dungait was rushed to hospital soon after arriving in Majorca for a stag do.
The 41-year-old, from Morpeth, dived into a swimming pool and hit his head on the bottom last Thursday, leaving him fighting for his life.
Medics have since stabilised Keith’s condition, but his injuries are considered “life-changing” and he is due to undergo an operation to prevent further nerve damage.
Jeff Williams, who has been friends with Keith for almost 20 years, set up a Just Giving page to support Keith’s family.
Donations have flooded in with £47,972 being raised in a matter of days, and Jeff says friends and family are “overwhelmed” by the response.
He said: “It’s our intention to turn this life-changing tragedy into a massive force for positive action for all people who suffer in the same way.
“We are currently spending every waking moment to reach out to people and share Keith’s story.
“He has an incredible attitude, astonishing humour and I am confident he will make a massive impact going forward.
“We are grateful to have Keith with us and are now totally focused on his recovery and creating a new life.
“We are overwhelmed with gratitude at the reaction Keith’s story has received but are mindful we have a long road ahead.”
Keith, who works in distribution and recruitment for Herbalife, suffered fractures to his spine and swelling on his brain, and fell into a coma later that night.
The dad-of-two is now conscious and able to talk and move his arms, but remains paralysed from the waist down and medics are unsure of his recovery prospects.
Wife Christina has been advised her husband’s rehabilitation could last up to a year.
She flew out to be at Keith’s side after being told the devastating news, and she feared the freak accident could have cost him his life.
She said: “When I went to see him and saw the swelling, it was horrible.
“He is still Keith, that’s the main thing. He is not brain damaged – he remembers, recognises and knows us.
“Keith could have died, he had to be brought back. His friends and then staff here at the hospital have saved him.”
Mammographer Christina, 39, added: “I got a phone call at 9.30pm saying Keith was in a really bad way, he was in a coma and was going in for further tests.
“When we got here, Keith was like he was in the picture with a tube down his throat.”
Jeff, 53, added: “We are awaiting an operation slot as soon as possible to secure no further damage to the nerves that feed his arms and hands which currently have movement but very limited.”
Christina, who is now back home with sons Ronnie, seven, and Macaulay, five, will fly back out to Majorca for Keith’s operation and hopes to discuss a return to the UK.
To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/ crowd funding/ get keith on his feet