Our dear friend and colleague, Ann Russell, needs our help.

Whilst on holiday in Greece at the beginning of June, Ann developed Bacterial Meningitis and was rushed to hospital. Meningitis is a life threatening disease that can affect anyone. It can take only a matter of hours to take hold and devastate someone’s life.

Ann spent around 4 weeks in Intensive Care under sedation. She has now been moved to the Neurology ward, but the doctors say that there is significant brain damage and she is unlikely to fully recover. Ann is not deemed to be well enough to travel back to the UK.

Ann is under 24 hour care. Unfortunately, in Greece, this only covers medical requirements and the patient’s family is expected to provide everything else. They need to buy food and feed Ann and purchase any requirements from water to a pressure mattress.

Ann’s brother has been out there since just after she was taken ill but staying there is becoming more difficult. He will need to come backward and forward from the UK whilst Ann cannot be moved. Ann’s friends are also keen to help and travel out there.

The costs for simply looking after Ann’s welfare as well as travel costs for family and friends while she remains in Greece will continue to rise. These costs are not covered by insurance.

We don’t know how long Ann is going to be in Greece, so we’re looking at a long term plan, seeking to raise £10k to cover day to day expenses and to pay for flights and accommodation for family and friends in order to give Ann the care she needs.

We are hoping that Ann will soon be well enough to be flown home. There may also be costs when she gets back, so when she's settled back in the UK, if there is money remaining from the money we raise, then we will donate that to a Meningitis charity.

Over the 22 years I have been working with Ann, she’s been there to support us night and day. Now it’s time for us to support her, her family and close friends. Dig deep, Ann needs you.