Nottingham family raise £20,000 to bring seriously injured brother back from Thailand

More than £20,000 has been raised in less than two weeks to help a Nottingham family bring home their seriously-injured brother.

Max Grainger (pictured) was in collision with a car while riding his bike in Thailand, where he has lived for a year.
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His sisters made an emotional appeal last month to help raise the £25,000 needed to bring Mr Grainger, who has previously lived in Forest Fields and Hucknall, back to England.

He is currently unconscious in hospital and doctors have warned that his brain will never recover, but his family want to bring him back to the UK to “say their goodbyes”.
His sister Alice Grainger said: “We’ve been pleasantly surprised by how fast the money has been raised. Now we’ve got past that £20,000 mark it feels like we are on the home stretch.”

Hundreds of people have pledged to the cause after Mr Grainger was left fighting for his life following the crash in Hua Hin, on the west coast of the country.

Now the family have started planning for his return next month.

Miss Grainger said: “I’ve been in touch with the evacuation company who are now going to start speaking to hospitals and flights so we can bring him home.
“It feels tangible now. We don’t know when we will get him back but hopefully it will be at the end of January.

“We don’t know what hospital he is going to yet but it will probably be one in London where he can get specialist care.”

“Our family are spread all over the country but him being in London will be easier for everyone to visit compared to Thailand.”

Mr Grainger has been unconscious since the crash on July 24.

Doctors have told the family that Max will never recover but that returning him to the UK on a special medical flight will cost £18,000 – in addition to other costs.

He did not have any travel insurance and the Government has not been able to help.

His sister Rosa Grainger, who lives in Mapperley Park, said: “I feel really grateful that so many people have helped us. I don’t think I’ll really believe he is coming home until he gets on the plane, but the family are going to have a much more positive Christmas.”

To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/helpbringmaxhome

Nottingham Post

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