5<\/p>\n Millie Bayles was on her dream summer holiday in Greece when she developd an ear infectionCredit: WNS 5<\/p>\n She was soon diagnosed with bacterial meningitisCredit: WNS 5<\/p>\n The Brit teen remains in intensive care at an Athens hospitalCredit: WNS<\/p>\n Her family said she first noticed symptoms of an ear infection – but it turned into something much more serious.<\/p>\n Millie, who comes from North Wales<\/a>, was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis<\/a> – leaving her family with a \u00a340,000 bill to get her home.<\/p>\n She was moved 300 miles from the island to intensive care in the Greek capital.<\/p>\n The Brit teen, who is said to be out of immediate danger, remains in a semi-conscious state. <\/p>\n Mum Lauren Murphy and stepfather Pete flew out to be by her side as doctors battle to get her well. <\/p>\n Millie unfortunately failed to take out travel insurance<\/a> when she went with friends for the summer<\/a> break.<\/p>\n Her mum has now received a quote for tens of thousands of pounds to pay for her medical bills<\/a> and bring her back to the UK. <\/p>\n Lauren has been left no choice but to turn to the public for help to pay for her treatment – which includes a private medical emergency flight.<\/p>\n The family have reached their \u00a340,000 target on their appeal with more than 900 donations from family, friends and even strangers – and hope to get Millie home soon.<\/p>\n Lauren said: “We are now at the stage where we can look to bring Millie back to the UK. <\/p>\n I caught brain-swelling virus after snorkelling on holiday<\/p>\n “She is out of immediate danger, but she has a long road to recovery ahead of her.” <\/p>\n “She is still only semi-conscious, and we have yet to see how badly this illness will have affected her brain in the long term.<\/p>\n “Unfortunately, due to being an invincible young person, Millie neglected to take out any holiday insurance, and so we have to fund her medical flight home privately.<\/p>\n “We desperately need help to get our girl back to her home country so she can continue her recovery process.”<\/p>\n Step-father Pete Murphy said: “I am so overwhelmed by the immediate generosity of all of you lovely people and plenty that are certainly not on my friend list.<\/p>\n “Myself, Lauren and Millie are so grateful for your kind donations. Millie has got a long battle ahead but she certainly has a lot of people routing for her and we can’t thank you enough for that.”<\/p>\n What is meningitis and how you can you avoid getting it?<\/p>\n MENINGITIS is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (meninges).<\/p>\n It can be very serious if not treated quickly – it can cause life-threatening\u00a0sepsis\u00a0and result in\u00a0permanent damage to the brain\u00a0or nerves.<\/p>\n Symptoms include:<\/p>\n Call 999 for an ambulance\u00a0or go to\u00a0your nearest A&E\u00a0immediately if you think you or someone you look after could have meningitis or sepsis.<\/p>\n Meningitis is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection.<\/p>\n Bacterial meningitis is rarer but more serious than viral meningitis.<\/p>\n Infections that cause meningitis can be spread through:<\/p>\n Vaccinations offer some protection against certain causes of meningitis.<\/p>\n These include the:<\/p>\n Source:\u00a0NHS<\/a><\/p>\n 5<\/p>\n The nightmare incident happened on the popular holiday island of Rhodes in GreeceCredit: Getty 5<\/p>\n![\"Millie](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/000-bill-get-home-millie-1011783650.jpg\")
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