A couple of weeks ago Colin Whiteside was taken into hospital in Sri Lanka with a fever. A result of a mosquito bite that gave him dengue fever. At first he was fine and being treated in a private hospital , that did everything they could. His wife Caroline flew out as soon as we found out and she’s doing everything she can for him. He contracted pneumonia and sepsis but we had faith in the hospital and medical professionals treating him. Out if the blue he suffered a catastrophic stroke which they have been told is the worst possible outcome you could have. Imagine losing control over everything. You can't move on your own. You can't scratch an itch. And worse still, you can't tell anyone around you that you have an itch. You can feel pain, hunger, loneliness, and fear, but you can't react to those sensations. You are totally aware of your surroundings, but you can't communicate your feelings or desires, or even your basic needs. The term for this horror is locked-in syndrome. This is what Colin has been left with. In a hospital in Sri Lanka with no hope.

His medical insurance will not cover treatment, every penny he earned in the last 15 years to secure a future has been spent on his care. The family know there is not a good prognosis It is extremely rare for any significant motor function to return. The majority of locked-in syndrome patients do not regain motor control. However, some people with the condition continue to live much longer,so any time my Colin has left we need to do everything we can to help with medical costs and possibly get him home.

Without help from the British embassy or his insurance it has been left to his family and friends to do everything in our power to get him home.

Anyone who knows Colin will know he was a proud hardworking man who did everything he could for his family and friends but they are desperate. They need him home and any help they can get would meant the world to them and Colin