Express & Star

Daughter's fight to bring father home after devastating Thailand bike crash

A daughter has made a desperate plea for help after her father was badly hurt in a motorcycle accident in Thailand.

Published

Former police officer Bob Anthony was paralysed after breaking his neck in the accident and is now in hospital on a ventilator breathing via a tracheotomy.

His daughter Nadine is desperately trying to raise up to £50,000 to bring him home as the family cannot afford the medical fees in Thailand .

Mr Anthony, aged 54, who served with West Mercia Police in Kidderminster for 20 years, was found lying in a ditch after an accident in Pattaya in Thailand about two weeks ago.

He has a broken neck, which left him paralysed after the crash and he breathes through a ventilator via a tracheotomy.

Miss Anthony, aged 26, who lives in Kidderminster, said: "We are appealing for any help to get him home.

"His condition is critical and he needs to be in the United Kingdom to receive surgery and rehabilitation if any recovery is possible.

"We are not certain how my father was injured. He was found lying in a ditch.

Nadine is battling to get her injured father back from Thailand

His wife, Kate, Nadine's stepmother, is by his side and son Steven is flying out to Thailand.

"My father served with distinction in the Royal Signals for 14 years and immediately afterwards joined West Mercia Police in Kidderminster.

"He was a police officer for more than 20 years and emigrated to Thailand two years ago.

"We just need to bring him home so that he can receive the medical treatment he needs."

"Meanwhile we are planning to hold a fundraising event at the Roundhead public house at Marlpool in Kidderminster from 5pm on Saturday.

"Ideally we need to raise as much as £50,000.

"We have already raised more than £4,000 through a justgiving site."

Bob pictured last summer

Anyone who wants to help is asked to call Nadine on 07863441393 or got to the www.justgiving.com/Andy-Norris1/ website.

A Commonwealth and Foreign Office spokesman has said that in such cases it would not provide funds to bring someone home and that it was up to travellers to take out appropriate insurance.

However the Government department does help with consular advice.

Major support has already been given by Help for Heroes, the Royal British Legion and the Army Benevolent Fund – Soldiers charity. Now further help is being sought.

All donations go to the Help for Heroes Quick Reaction Fund which helps all wounded, injured and sick serving members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families.

The money raised will go directly to helping Bob and others who are in immediate need of support.

A flood of offers have been posted on social media sites with the offer of paramedics to escort him from any UK airport if he manages to come back to Britain.

Officers at Kidderminster Police Station have also sent their best wishes and hopes that he can return for the treatment he needs.

On the Justgiving site organisers wrote: "Please help bring one of our own boys back home.

"Every donation counts, is critical and I wholeheartedly appreciate your kind generosity. Money will go toward full medical repatriation – prices are being confirmed by the British Embassy in Bangkok, however, if this cost is too high, we will embark on an ex British Military exercise to complete the mission with our own doctor, paramedics and medical equipment – paramedics we have on board – we need a doctor. Ex military are assisting this end also.

"Massive support has already been given by Help For Heroes, The Royal British Legion, Army Benevolent Fund – The Soldiers Charity – thank you all so much.

"With this campaign, I hope to achieve support from The Royal Signals, The Police Federation and as many authorities who can assist – including you.

"Please share, cast the net far and wide and make this happen." Donations made so far have even come from complete strangers. One person, who gave £10, said: "I don't know you or your family but I'd like to think people would help if it was my dad. Good luck, best wishes and get well soon from a WMP employee ."

And Tracey Larvin, who donated £20, said: "Here's hoping you will be home soon..Never had the pleasure of working with you but my thoughts are with you and your family."

Police officers in Kidderminster have donated £320.

One message said: "Everyone at Kidderminster Police are wishing Bob all the best.

"Let's get Bob back home ASAP for the treatment he needs. Everyone keep on donating."

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