Barnsley Man Falls Seriously Ill On Holiday

A man from Barnsley who has dedicated his life to helping local youth clubs, is now fighting to survive in a Thai hospital after developing a rare nervous condition.

Craig Lindley, 35, was holidaying in Thailand when he collapsed and had to be rushed to Koh Samui hospital by speedboat on New Years Day.

He has lost all movement in his legs and one arm with blood results now showing that Craig has developed the very rare and serious nervous system condition called Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

His Dad, Frank Lindley, said: “He’s woke up in the night, unable to walk or sit up. His muscles didn’t react.The friends that were with him managed to find a doctor who examined him and said there’s nothing we can do here, he’s got to go to hospital.”

With a grey area lurking over whether Craig had taken out travel insurance or not, friends and family have forked out £17,500 of their own money for medical costs.

But this is not enough, they are now appealing to the general public to raise funds for the treatment.

Frank is desperate for donations to bring his son home, “We’re helpless. Until the treatment starts to kick in we can’t get him back.”

Treatment costs over £4000 a day so family and friends are urging members of the public to donate and get Craig home.

Craig, who has spent most of his adult life teaching amateur boxing at local youth clubs, is currently on a ventilator to help him breathe.

It is hoped that the treatment will begin to start working and he will be well enough to fly so it can be continued back in the UK.