Organised by Lia's WingsKobe was born three months premature while in Portugal. His parents are desperate for him to come home. Help us fly Kobe back home to the UK so that he can receive neonatal care surrounded by his family.
Expectant parents, Tequilla and Barney, travelled to Faro, Portugal, for a much-anticipated babymoon before their son’s arrival. But shortly after arriving, their world was turned upside down. Tequilla was rushed to the hospital, where an emergency C-section was performed due to a placental abruption. It was a terrifying experience, as doctors cautioned Barney that both Tequilla and baby Kobe were at serious risk. Thankfully, they both pulled through, and Tequilla and Barney were filled with relief and joy to finally meet their beautiful baby boy, Kobe. However, they were suddenly left feeling lost, overwhelmed, and uncertain of what to do next.
Kobe, born extremely premature, was immediately admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit in Portugal. His fragile condition required help with breathing, treatment for his delicate skin, and special feeding support. Tequilla and Barney are deeply worried about their son’s future and anxious to get him the care he needs.
Tequilla says:
It’s been a traumatic experience to say the least. We’ve been extremely lucky to have so much support from friends and family back home. However, it’s a very isolating feeling being over in Portugal, so far away from the comforts of home.
We’ve been lucky enough to have had nurses and doctors that speak a little English, but the language barrier in a situation like this, where we just want to know if our baby is ok has been really hard, on top of trying to recover and adjust to our new surroundings, unsure of when we’ll be able to get home.
We urgently want to bring Kobe home to receive specialist neonatal care in the UK, where his parents can be actively involved in his care, supported by family and friends. Although their travel insurer has covered Kobe’s medical bills and their accommodation in Portugal, it cannot cover the cost of an air ambulance transfer to bring Kobe home to the UK. As the only UK charity dedicated to helping families with premature babies stranded abroad, Lia’s Wings has the teams, equipment, and aircraft to safely bring Kobe home. We are providing his family with financial, emotional, and practical support as we arrange Kobe’s air transfer. We will also ensure he will be accepted into a hospital near his family in Cardiff.
Together with Kobe’s family, we have raised £15,000 toward the air ambulance costs. Now, we need your help to secure the remaining £12,250 needed to bring Kobe home. Kobe's friends and family are doing all they can to raise funds and hit this target but, if you are able, please consider making a donation towards Kobe’s air transfer home.
We want Kobe to access the best possible care back in the UK, surrounded by his family and their support system – your support can make this happen.
Charities pay a small fee for our service. Learn more about fees
