HELP BRING GARY HOME...

On 7th June 2021, our father who is 74, suffered a severe left sided ischaemic stroke which has left him unable to speak, swallow or use his right side. We have not seen him for over a year as in April 2020 he was due to return to the UK from his vacation in Thailand but due to the lockdown his flight was cancelled and it has been cancelled several times since. He was planning on finally returning this September but unfortunately has now suffered the stroke. He has also not had his covid vaccine as the roll out over there is so delayed. Of course he would have had it well before now if he was in the UK. He is currently in hospital in Korat, Thailand.

This donation page is to help raise funds to cover the cost of dad's medical repatriation to the UK as we want to get him home to get the NHS care he so desperately needs in his own country. We as a family however are unable to afford this due to the high cost. The hospital costs alone have been extensive as the travel insurance my father did have expired and due to his age and co-morbidities it was not able to be renewed and despite his best efforts he could not acquire.

The UK Foreign Office have said that repatriation can cost between £20,000 and £80,000 depending on the level of care he needs to be flown home and it is our responsibility to raise the money. We do feel a little let down to be honest - dad is an ex-policeman and ex-prison officer so has served the country all his life and now he needs their help it is not available. The £20,000 level of repatriation is what we are aiming for, which would enable a paramedic and a nurse to be flown out to Thailand, they will bring dad back to the UK, caring for him all the way, and on landing he will be taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital for his care to continue there. However, he would have to be certified fit to fly.

Of course our first thoughts were to go to Thailand, but we have been advised by the Foreign Office not to go. Thailand still have rules in place that any visitor must isolate for 14 days, and we are currently unable to bring him back ourselves due to his medical needs.

We are desperate to get our father back so he can receive the medical care for his future recuperation from the stroke. It may seem that the sum we are attempting to raise is insurmountable, and it is a huge sum to reach, but we are trying everything we can to help our dad.

Thank you for visiting this page. We will post updates to let you know how dad is progressing. If you don't wish to donate, we do understand, but we thank you for visiting and listening to our dad's plight.

If the minimum target to cover dad's medical repatriation to the UK is not reached, funds donated will be used for his medical care whilst in Thailand, both in the hospital and for rehabilitation. Or, funds will be donated to a stroke association charity in the UK.

Thank you !!!! Vanessa and Tracy xx