Elias Vorrias is a strong, loyal, caring, funny and talented person
Elias Vorrias(Image: Just Giving)
Worried friends of a man from Paignton have launched a fundraising appeal to bring him home after he fell seriously ill on holiday.
Elias Vorrias picked up an infection in Greece that quickly escalated into life-threatening multi-organ failure.
He is currently fighting for his life in hospital in Zante with his family beside him.
Elias desperately needs to be flown home to the UK for further treatment. But he is stranded because the transfer is not covered by his insurance.
Friends have organised a fundraiser with a target of £25,000. More than £16,000 has been raised so far.
Elias grew up in Torbay before moving to the Midlands and still has many friends in Devon.
A family friend has organised the appeal. She said: “Elias was taken seriously unwell just before he was due to fly home from a family holiday.
“What began as an infection quickly escalated into severe sepsis and multi organ failure. He was admitted to Zakynthos State Hospital and transferred to intensive care on July 23rd, where he is now on full life support, including ventilation and dialysis.
“The hope is that when he stabilises, Elias will be flown home to the UK by ICU air ambulance for further treatment and potentially a life saving liver transplant. Unfortunately, this type of transfer is not covered by insurance, and the family are now facing significant, urgent expenses, including accommodation, food, local transport, and costs related to repatriation.
“Elias is self employed and unable to work, so this fund will also help support him financially while he recovers.
“This fundraising to support Elias’s family in Greece and cover the cost of ICU air ambulance transfer when he is well enough to return home.”
His family have given an update on his condition and thanked those who have supported the fundraiser.
They said: “We are currently over in Zante with our beloved son and brother Elias, he is currently in an induced coma which means we are only allowed to visit him 30 minutes per day, to hold his hand, to speak to him, and remind him just how loved he is. We won’t give up until we get him home.
“We have been told he must remain in Greece until he is stable enough to fly home on a specialist ICU air ambulance, which isn’t covered by insurance.
“Elias is a hard-working, single 47-year-old man. He’s a tiler by trade, unbelievably passionate about his dogs back home, and has dedicated his life to his dogs and the showing world.
“Elias is such a strong, loyal, caring, funny and talented person, his Greek heritage means family is everything to him, and right now he needs all of us more than ever.
“The love and support we’ve received so far has helped us keep strong and has helped him survive these terrifying days. We are clinging to the hope that we’ll be able to fly him home to the UK as soon as he’s able to to continue the long, scary, and ongoing road to recovery.
“Every donation, no matter how small, will go directly towards his care, family support, and repatriation.
“Your kindness gives our son and brother the fighting chance he deserves. He is so deeply loved and so desperately needed back home in the UK where he belongs with his family and much loved dogs.”
The appeal can be found at JustGiving.
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