Helen Barratt and her 19-year-old daughter Nell, from Worcester, were struck by a car in Budva, Montenegro, on the first day of their holiday and suffered ‘life-changing injuries’, their family say
A £40,000 fundraising campaign has been launched to help a mum and her daughter get back home to the Midlands after they were struck by a vehicle on their holiday’s opening day.
Helen Barratt and her 19-year-old daughter Nell, from Worcester, were knocked down by a car within hours of touching down in Montenegro, according to their family.
Nell’s sister, Ella, said the crash in Budva on April 13 left the duo with potentially “life-changing injuries” – including fractures and severe head trauma. The pair were rushed to a nearby hospital after they were reportedly hit by a motorist who had driven onto the pavement.
It subsequently came to light that their worldwide health insurance had lapsed and did not include medical repatriation cover, reports Birmingham Live.
A GoFundMe page has now been set up with a £40,000 target to ‘get Helen and Nell home’, as both currently need specialist medical transport owing to their inability to move.
Ella, posting on Facebook, said: “Within three hours of arriving in the country, they were struck by a vehicle while walking on the footpath.
“Both are now hospitalised with severe, documented, life-changing injuries – and I am watching them suffer while fighting for basic care every single day.”
Click here if you would like to help the family by donating towards Helen and Nell’s medical bills.
“Neither of them can be moved safely without proper medical repatriation which remains completely out of our financial reach. The repatriation quote is £40,000.”
Nearly £10,000 has been raised so far. “That means the absolute world to us,” Ella added. “But we still have so far to go.”
The GoFundMe campaign, established by Nina Tribe, states: “On April 13th, they decided to take a walk which has changed their lives completely.
“A car came from nowhere, knocking them over, unconscious and in a bad way. They got rushed to hospital, which is where they still are now, and will be for some time.
“Nell has fractures to her spine, pelvis, and collarbone and is unable to leave her bed. She’s still not been assessed properly, so we’ve no idea how long she’ll be like this for.
“Helen has only just been able to pick up the phone and talk, letting everyone know what happened due to having head and facial injuries. As of today they are still waiting on scans so we’ve no idea how long they will be out there, but knowing the seriousness of this it’s going to be some time.
“Helen and Nell need our help. To get Helen and Nell home it’s going to cost around £40,000.
“You can imagine how desperate they are to get home too. Please please keep sharing, your support means a lot to them all.”
A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson confirmed to the BBC: “We’re supporting the family of two British nationals who are hospitalised in Montenegro and are in contact with the local authorities.”