We are raising funds to help our friends Marc & Amy, who went on holiday to Malta nearly 10 weeks ago now on Wednesday 24th May, with there daughter Eliza Jane, who was 10 months old at the time.

Eliza hadn't been well since Sunday 21st May, but as her only symptoms were a high temperature and being generally unwell, (no rash) they put it down to a bug or a cold of some sort. After a visit to their GP's on Tuesday 23rd May, it was thought to be a viral infection and she was safe to fly.

Sadly, on the day they arrived in Malta, Eliza was rushed to hospital with Streptococcus Pneumococcal Meningitis. After an awful 9 weeks of ventilators, seizures, septicaemia, transfusions, antibiotics, 5 MRI and 3 CT scans, 3 operations, blood tests and Eliza having to spend her 1st birthday (11th July) going back to theatre for another operation, Eliza is now stable. However, she has been left partially blind and deaf in her left ear, and unfortunately we've been told Eliza will be left with significant brain damage, the extent of which we won't know until she grows up. Our little EJY (Eliza Jane Young) has gone from being the happiest and bubbliest little girl, to having been left with the devastating after effects of meningitis.

Unfortunately, as of yet, Eliza's parents have had their insurance claim refused twice. The insurance company are claiming that it was 'an underlying condition' prior to the holiday, even though a diagnosis had never been made and they'd been told they were safe to fly.

Thankfully the healthcare in Malta is free, but now Eliza's parents are not only having to deal with this nightmare situation, but also have the added financial burden of having to pay for accommodation, car hire, food etc, all not knowing when either of them will be back in work. We are also unsure as to the cost of flying Eliza back to the UK, as soon as she is safe to do so, and any aftercare, rehabilitation, or special equipment she may need once she's home.

Therefore any donations, no matter how big or small, would be be truly appreciated. We'd be forever grateful for your help and support.