Patricia Bunting, a 76-year-old grandmother from Wigan, took a risk by traveling to Florida for what was supposed to be a final holiday without purchasing travel insurance. Despite her existing health issues including COPD and atrial fibrillation, she was unable to afford insurance on top of the cost of the trip, which ranged from £3-6,000. Her daughter, Emma, expressed concerns about her mother’s decision to travel without insurance, but Patricia was determined to go on the trip with two of her sons and one grandson.
While on holiday in Florida, Patricia collapsed in a hotel bathroom and was rushed to the hospital, where she remains at this time. She is currently dependent on oxygen and has been diagnosed with influenza and Covid-19, in addition to her existing health conditions. Patricia was due to return home on November 28, but she has been hospitalized since falling ill. Unfortunately, her sons and grandson had to return to the UK due to running out of money and not having anywhere to stay, leaving Patricia alone in the US.
Emma and her family are trying to raise funds to bring their mother back to the UK, as the estimated cost for her flight home and medical care is around £111,000. Even a more affordable option of accompanied medical care on a commercial flight would still cost the family between £11-15,000, in addition to the medical bills from the hospital in Orlando. Emma feels that their family has been placed in an impossible situation due to her mother’s decision not to take travel insurance, and they are desperate to get Patricia back home where she can receive the care she needs.
Patricia had saved up for four years to take this final trip to Florida, a place that held many memories for her and her family. Emma explained that Florida was a favorite destination for their family, and Patricia had always been a strong and independent person. Now, they are trying to support her as she battles health issues in a US hospital, but the financial burden of bringing her home is overwhelming. Emma expressed her desire for her mother to be surrounded by her family in Wigan and is seeking help through a GoFundMe page to raise the necessary funds for her mother’s return.
As Patricia remains in critical condition in the US, her family in the UK is working tirelessly to raise funds for her repatriation and medical care. Despite the high costs involved, they are determined to bring her home so she can receive the necessary treatment with her family by her side. Emma emphasized that this situation has been particularly challenging for their family as it was the first time Patricia had traveled without insurance, and they are now facing significant financial obstacles in trying to bring her back to the UK. The family is hopeful that with the support of the community, they will be able to reunite Patricia with her loved ones in Wigan.
