James Woodruff Is Now On His Way Home Thanks to You!

News

Gemma Quinn / 2007-10-01 14:14:48

James Woodruff finally left the Casa Verde Residential home centre in Pilar De La Horadada on Monday for the long journey to his home town in England.

He has had to be taken by road ambulance due to his medical condition. The ambulance was crewed by two drivers, Vicente Bernabea Rodriquez and Jorge Sanchez taking 3 hour shifts at the wheel, accompanied by Nurse Laura. Their route will take them via Alicante and Paris to Calais for the ferry to Dover, then on to Aintree Liverpool; a journey of about 27 hours.

James cracked his skull while on a visit to his family in the Torrevieja area, he then spent 8 weeks on a life support machine in Alicante before he was transferred to Torrevieja Hospital until his condition improved and he was able to be moved to Casa Verde.

James has suffered from a degenerative brain disease for some seven years which affects his nervous system and makes him forgetful. He had in his possession a European Health Insurance Card which has covered his medical costs, but he did not have the necessary travel insurance to cover repatriation.

Since The Help Association of Vega Baja learnt of the case, James' story has been well publicised and John Saunders, the President of HELP, has been in daily contact with James' daughter Jennifer in Liverpool, a single mother who has raised money in her home town where James is well known. Lucy, Jennifer's half sister where James was visiting, is a member of the local Church which also raised funds along with other groups, businesses and fundraisers whose efforts and support have enabled the transfer of James back to England.

The Help Association has often been involved with repatriation but this has been one of the most difficult cases.

The moral of this story to anyone travelling is please take out adequate insurance.