Successful fundraising means Kate Clayton set to return to Southampton after Caribbean crash
From Southern Daily Echo
Kate Clayton set to return from the Cayman Islands to Southampton.
IT was the moment their prayers were answered.
The distraught family of a Hampshire woman left fighting for her life following a Caribbean island car crash have raised enough money to fly her home.
Today relatives of Kate Clayton are in top level talks with medical specialists after securing a flight from the Cayman Islands to Southampton.
The announcement comes just days after relatives launched a £500,000 appeal to pay for an air ambulance to fly the 30-year-old diving instructor back to Southampton General Hospital.
Critically ill Caribbean crash victim’s family launch £500,000 appeal to fly her home
Overwhelming support for the family’s Kate’s Fighting Fund has been boosted by friends and relatives gathering an undisclosed amount towards flight costs.
Dates of the journey from Grand Cayman have yet to be finalised but last night relatives personally thanked Daily Echo readers for backing their campaign, which has so far raised nearly £6,000 in four days.
Kate’s step-father Michael Rocks thanked hundreds of kind-hearted people in Hampshire and across the globe for their generous donations.
He said: “We are all elated that we have reached this milestone and our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported us.
“We don’t know the timing but something has been secured, a plane ordered and the hospital has given the OK for her to fly.
“We never thought that it would happen so soon and the response from people has been absolutely fantastic.”
He confirmed the fundraising target has been reduced to £100,000 but donations are still needed towards the former Wildern School pupil’s long-term care.
He added: “There’s still a long journey for Kate to go and we still need funds for her rehabilitation.”
Kate remains on a ventilator in intensive care in the island’s George Town Hospital after suffering a catalogue of horrific injuries when her car veered off the road into a tree on January 11.
She is paralysed from the chest down and has possible spinal injuries.
Her mum Jo has flown to her bedside as she continues to fight for survival while other family members are raising cash for her return.
Kate moved to the island in December 2013 to follow her dream of training as a dive master and was helping people to explore the Caribbean Sea with Tortuga Divers, part of a company called Red Sail Sports.
The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service is investigating the incident.
To make a donation visit https://fundrazr.com and search for Help Get Kate Home.
IMAGES:
Kate Clayton with her step dad Mark Rocks and mum Jo.
Kate Clayton inset Cayman Islands
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See also related iNews Cayman story published January 26 2015 “Kate Clayton, who grew up in Southampton, fights for life after being involved in a car crash in Grand Cayman” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/kate-clayton-who-grew-up-in-southampton-fights-for-life-after-being-involved-in-a-car-crash-in-grand-cayman/
