Exclusive:'It's comforting people care': Fundraiser launched for 'devoted' Sheffield dad who fell into coma in Thailand
They are looking to raise £6,000 so he can safely return to his daughter
A Sheffield dad who was hoping to have a simple holiday is now awaiting open heart surgery after falling into a coma while abroad.
Fraser Derbyshire’s shocked parents made the 12 hour flight to Thailand over the weekend after receiving the devastating news that the 35-year-old father was found unconscious in his hotel room while on holiday on Thursday (July 9).
He was rushed to hospital having fallen into a coma, with family being told on Monday (July 13) that he was suffering with an infection on a heart valve and sepsis.
To save him, doctors will have to perform a costly open heart surgery before he can return home to four-year-old daughter Poppy.
“The operation itself is going to be at least £11,000,” his cousin Leanne Derbyshire told The Star.
Leanne launched a fundraiser to help pay for medical costs immediately after the tragedy, and in just three days people have donated more than £4,800.
The fundraiser has a target of £6,000, but with more information coming out every day the family will need all the help they can get.
“He knows a lot of people and there’s a lot of people out there who are obviously rooting for him and really want to get him home to his daughter,” Leanne added.
The support has also helped the scared family, with Leanne going on to say: “To be honest, when you’re going through something like this, I feel like it’s quite comforting to know that there are people out there that really want to help and also care about Fraser.
“That really is what he needs at the moment, to know that there are people that care about him.”
Fraser, from Ecclesfield, has been described as a “devoted young father” to daughter Poppy, who family are working hard to make sure he can see again.
On the Just Giving page, they wrote: “Every donation, no matter how small, will help towards Fraser’s medical bills and support his family through this incredibly difficult time. If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing this appeal with your family, friends, and on social media. Every share could make a difference.”
On the page, people have left messages of support, with one person writing: “Come on Fraser lad let’s get you home.”
“Sending huge hugs and lots of love,” another person wrote.
“C’mon Fraser fight this fight, your princess Poppy wants her daddy home and your mum needs you home doing her head in.”
An anonymous donor simply added: “Just want a dad to get back to his daughter - could happen to any of us.”
Fraser’s parents are staying by his bedside while they wait for more details, but Leanne said that they got a glimmer of hope upon their arrival.
“They said that he obviously looks really unwell,” she added.
“When they arrived and actually spoke to him he moved his eyes slightly, so we’re all obviously taking that as a positive because he was unresponsive.”