Family’s desperate bid to bring retired nurse home after devastating airport aneurysm

Kindhearted volunteers from local charity HELP Murcia Mar Menor were recently hit by a tragedy: the organisation’s membership secretary, Paul Gaynor, suffered a devastating brain aneurysm on April 13, and his family as well as friends from the charity are rallying together to help cover the costs of his treatment. The family has set up a GoFundMe for the cause, and every little bit helps.

A friend and neighbour suffers a devastating blow

Paul and his wife, Penny, were active volunteers at the HELP Murcia Mar Menor charity, and helped with the outlet located in San Javier. They had just arrived in Spain to begin their retirement after dedicating a combined 75 years to the NHS as mental health nurses, but tragically, shortly after landing, Paul suffered a catastrophic brain aneurysm at the airport.

Since that day, Paul has undergone three major brain surgeries, and doctors told the family he was unlikely to survive. However, against all odds, Paul has fought back, and is now in a rehabilitation hospital in Spain.

Paul’s arduous road to recovery and rehabilitation

The brain injury has left him with disabilities and needing round-the-clock care. According to the medical team overseeing him, he is unlikely to regain his ability to walk or speak properly. Now, doctors have recommended that his family bring him home to England, but unfortunately, due to the severity of Paul’s condition, he cannot travel on a commercial flight and will need either a specialist ambulance journey across Europe or an air ambulance, both of which come at an enormous cost.

“Once he returns home, he and my mother-in-law will be moving into our family home so that we can care for them together. We want them to be surrounded by love, familiarity and support during this incredibly difficult time,” stated Paul’s family.

Bringing a dedicated caregiver back home to his loved ones

The family is asking for donations to help cover £9,000 (some €10,500) of the significant costs of the specialist medical transport from Spain to the UK, essential medical equipment and care needs, and ongoing costs associated with Paul’s rehabilitation and daily care, as well as adaptations to their home in order to make it safe and accessible for Paul.

How the community is rallying to help

“Asking for help is not easy,” stated the family in the GoFundMe’s description, “but after a lifetime spent caring for others, we hope people will now help care for him. Whether you are able to donate or simply share this page, every act of kindness brings us one step closer to bringing him home where he belongs.”

HELP Murcia Mar Menor has already donated €500 to the cause, but are urging interested and kindhearted donors to contribute to the GoFundMe or spread the word in order to help a longtime volunteer, a caring nurse, and a kindhearted neighbour.