Family Of Stroke-hit Brit Ex-serviceman Retirees On Paphos Appeal For Air Ambulance Funding

A desperate British family has launched an appeal for funds to get their seriously ill expat father home from Paphos.

Crowdfunding is now the last resort of many families of expats who’ve fallen seriously ill whilst on retirement in overseas locations with less than sympathetic, competent medical services. This latest appeal is on behalf of Taunton- born retiree Paul Elleray, who suffered a stroke on May 16 and is now in a Paphos hospital unable to communicate or move his right side. His daughter Jodie, along with her sister, started the GoFundMe appeal, telling local media it’s been her Dad’s worst fear to be left alone with severe medical problems.

Paul’s family are hoping the appeal will provide enough money to have him flown home by air ambulance, as he’s not fit to travel on a commercial flight. The target is £50,000, and the appeal was placed as his daughters had already spent their savings travelling to Cyprus to do what they could for their father when he fell ill. Jodie told reporters they’re not asking for massive donations, but would be grateful for whatever donors are able to give. To date, the site has received £4,500, a good start, but there's a long way to go.

According to the BBC’s coverage of the appeal, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is ‘assisting the family’ and has been in touch

with the Paphos hospital where Paul is now being treated following his stroke. On Jodie’s appeal page, she describes the hospital’s services as 'appalling', saying they’re doing nothing for her father at a time when he needs to be treated with dignity. The page has attracted a large number of compassionate replies from well-wishers and friends of the family who’ve donated, many of whom say they know him or that they’d served with him in Cyprus in the late 1970s. One caring donor has organised a charity coffee morning in support of the appeal, and others who’ve been in similar situations are offering advice and help.