Please help us raise funds for a young Co-operative Travel agent left paralysed by a rare condition having suffered a stroke last November.

Mia Austin, 21, was described by her family as a vibrant, bubbly girl dedicated to her job as a travel agent in the Heswall brand of The Co-operative Travel.

She loved the industry she worked in

We have set a target of £50,000 to raise to help her leave Clatterbridge Hospital where she is being treated for a rare condition called Locked-In Syndrome.

Mia’s family have received help from the Abta benevolent fund which has helped pay for a specially adapted car that allows her to go on trips from the hospital to see friends and visit places she loves.  

Rick Austin, Mia’s father, described her as a lively person, who aspired to have a long and successful career in travel. “Her strength was her bubbly personality and big smile,” he said. “She was very comfortable relating to people, and customers asked for her specifically.

“If she had any choice she would want to be at home and we would want her here. To have the transport to be able to get her out of hospital for a break – it’s things like that that keep her going.

“Everything I have been told and read about this condition makes it clear to me that you have got to have the will and determination to overcome it and this is why Mia needs to be at her home being cared for by her family in familiar surroundings.”

Mike Greenacre, managing director of The Co-operative Travel and an Abta director, said: “Mia was a brilliant member of staff and we are delighted she has got some of the help she needs.

“I’m delighted Travel Weekly has agreed to launch this campaign and with the help of its readers we look forward to providing Mia and her family with more assistance.”

The Abta Benevolent Fund has agreed to administer the fundraising effort launched by Travel Weekly, the weekly trade journal for the travel industry, and The Co-operative Travel.