Yahoo News Teesside family trapped in France after grandad suffers heart attack on Disneyland Paris holiday
A family's dream holiday has turned into a nightmare leaving a Teesside grandad in hospital.
A fundraiser has been set up to bring Rob Fishpool and his family home from France after he suffered a cardiac arrest while on holiday in Disneyland Paris. The family, from New Marske near Redcar, travelled to the resort to celebrate his granddaughter's third birthday.
But the holiday was cut short when he suffered a cardiac arrest and is now in an ICU on a ventilator in a hospital in France. Rob did not have travel insurance due to a pre-existing medical condition which meant they were unable to get it for the holiday - leaving them stuck abroad and unable to get him home, Yorkshire Live reports.
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Rob's family, his wife and six children are currently still in France and are paying for accommodation close to the hospital. They have been updating their close family and friends about the situation - which has led one friend to set up a GoFundMe page.
Chloe Jones-Lunn, a nurse at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, is friend of Rob's daughter and felt she had to do something for him and the family. Since creating the page it has raised over £6,000 of the intended £10,000 target.
She said: "I started the fundraiser as Rob's daughter is my close friend and after hearing about the costs of repatriating him I wanted to help in any way I could." On the page she explained that Rob is not ready to come home but the money raised will help when it is time.
£18k transfer
She also goes in to detail of how much a transfer will cost which she said will come to around £18,000 if he is receiving high level of care or it could be £7,500 if he is 'stabilised' enough for a normal ambulance. The page states: "Hi, I've created this go fund me to help my closest friend and her family with a medical repatriation.
"Some of you may know Rob sadly suffered a cardiac arrest whilst on a family holiday in Disneyland Paris to celebrate his granddaughters 3rd Birthday, he is currently in ICU on a ventilator. Although he isn't ready yet, we're hoping he will be able to come home to a UK hospital soon to continue his recovery.
"Unfortunately Rob didn't have travel insurance as due to pre-existing medical conditions they were unable to get it. Therefore, the cost of the medical transfer lies with him and his family.
"After briefly getting quotes, it's looking that it's approximately £18,000 for a transfer if he's still receiving a high level of care, or £7,500 if he has stabilised enough for a normal ambulance. On top of this, Rob's wife Michelle and six children have had to pay for accommodation close to the hospital.
"I've known Michelle and Rob for nearly half my life and they've always treat me as family, no one deserves this but especially not them. I didn't want them to have to burden this alone so wanted to as if anyone would be willing to donate anything towards the costs. Thank you in advance."
If you could like to donate or read about Rob's case, click here for more information.
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