£34,000 needed to bring Bridport man with Covid-19 home from Cyprus
His brother is raising funds for his safe return
Last updated 30th Nov 2021
The family of a Bridport man are urgently fundraising to bring him home from Cyprus after he caught Covid-19 whilst on holiday there.
Stuart Haskins and his wife Tracey both tested positive on the trip and were hospitalised - despite the pair being fully vaccinated.
After an overnight stay Tracey was moved to a quarantine hotel in Cyprus as she was asymptomatic.
Stuart stayed in hospital where he was put on a ventilator and is now in ICU.
He was also diagnosed with double pneumonia and a collapsed lung.
His brother David Haskins told Greatest Hits Radio Dorset:
"A private medical plane will bring him home, in such a manner that the pilot and other staff bringing him back will be safe.
"It's all gone through the recommendation from the embassy and as soon as we have the funds we can get Stuart home."
The couple went on holiday for 10 days and were due to have their boosters before they left but they were cancelled before they left due to a shortage on the NHS.
So far, £28,000 has been raised but they need £34,000.
Tracey says she doesn't want to leave her husband in the country when she is due to leave the quarantine hotel on Monday.
"We’ve spoken to the British Embassy who agree Stuart needs to be flown back to the UK for medical treatment as the hospital he’s in his failing him.
"Please help us fly Stuart home by medical plane, this is our only hope. Stuart is very frightened, having Covid in hospital is a frightening experience let alone in a foreign country where the care is poor and there’s a language barrier which makes it difficult.
"Despite taking out medical insurance we still need to find a way to fly Stuart home as soon as possible. Stuart is a wonderful husband, father, son and brother and we are desperate to raise money to fly him home where he belongs."