A THURROCK family are appealing to the borough community to help get a much-loved husband, dad and grandad home after he suffered a stroke while on holiday.

Dad of four Gerry Brown, 67, is currently critically unwell following a massive stroke and pulmonary embolism sustained while holidaying in Gran Canaria.

He was on a trip booked way before any thoughts of coronavirus by Gerry and his wife Lynn to celebrate their retirement and 38th wedding anniversary.

While abroad Gerry fell over and suffered a broken hip. He had medical care and was recovering at his apartment waiting for his fit to fly certificate to return to the UK.

However, in the early hours of 16 October Lynn found him in the midst of a massive stroke. Gerry was admitted to hospital and placed on life support. His wife contacted the insurers to whom they paid a hefty premium to be fully covered to be told that they were uninsured due to covid 19.

Gerry, who originates from Tilbury and has lived in Stifford Clays for 30 years, has six grandchildren - with another due any day now.

Before retirement he worked at the Board Mills at Purfleet.

His daughter Emma says: "Although the policy was purchased way ahead of this and nothing to do with his condition they have relinquished all responsibility.

"We are now as a family are trying to raise funds for a medical repatriation to get him home and have some input about his care.

"Due to the language barrier we are unable to talk to medical staff and information is being relayed by the consulate every couple of days while he is thousands of miles away.

"We are now trying to raise the money to fly him home on an air ambulance at a cost of £24,000 via a government approved company.

"We are all so worried and miss him greatly. any help you can offer large or small will be very gratefully received from all the family."

Anyone who wishes to support the family can do so by donating after clicking here.