A young Carnforth man who broke his neck in a holiday swimming pool accident has been flown home after an appeal raised almost £150,000.
Will Ponter was injured while diving in a pool in Turkey, and a doctor's prognosis is that he will be paralysed from the neck down.
People have rallied behind the 24-year-old BAE Systems electrician since a 'Help Get Will Home' fundraising page was launched last week, raising more than £147,000 as we went to press, towards a target of £150,000.
Will was flown home by the UK aeroplane ambulance charity Lia's Wings, who came to his aid after getting in touch with Beyond Radio following our coverage of his accident.
A Lia's Wings spokesperson told us he was brought back to the UK via an ICU air ambulance flight and into NHS care on Sunday, and the transfer went well.
The accident happened during the last day of Will and his girlfriend Becky Francey's holiday.
Becky jumped into the pool to pull Will out and he underwent 13 hours of surgery.
"I can’t believe this is our reality, Will is not just my partner, he is my best friend and those who know us know we are inseparable," said Becky last week, following the accident.
"I can’t believe this is happening, it feels like a never-ending nightmare.
"The outpouring of support already has overwhelmed Will's family and I; we couldn’t be more grateful.
"He truly is one of a kind, so funny, caring, thoughtful and adored by everyone he meets.
"Any support offered, whether it’s donations to the Gofundme or prayers for his recovery mean the world to us."
The fundraising page said: "The immediate, urgent need, is help with funds for his stay in the ICU.
"After that, there is the cost of a flight from Turkey, back home to England.
"They do not have the correct insurance to cover all costs, and we expect there will be further costs to help make the home accessible, as well as resources and other accessibility equipment.
"We do know that the transport, due to needing medical staff on board, will be roughly £120,000 and every day spent in the ICU in Turkey is costing £2,000.
"We hope to raise at least £150,000."
Meanwhile, a local man has raised money towards Will's appeal by having his beard shaved off at a Carnforth pub.
Eden Whittaker was shaved at The Nib at Millhead on Sunday.
"We raised an incredible £450 TODAY alone for Will!" said a post on The Nib Facebook page.
"And then, in an amazing gesture, We ‘The Nib Committee’ donated the difference to take the total up to a massive £1,000!
"A HUGE thank you to Eden, who sacrificed not only his magnificent beard… but the ponytail too! What an absolute legend!
Photos of Eden being shaved from The Nib, Millhead
"And thank you to every single person who donated, came along, supported us and helped make today so special.
"But the best news of all…
"WILL IS IN THE AIR AS WE SPEAK AND ON HIS WAY HOME!
"That’s what this was all about.
"£1,000 raised. One beard gone. One ponytail gone. And Will is coming home.
"What a community. Thank you all so, so much.
"After everything Will and his family have been through, we’re so pleased that he’s coming home. We’re all wishing him the absolute very best as his treatment and recovery continue here in the UK.
"There’s still a huge journey ahead, but we hope being back home, surrounded by his family, friends and everyone who cares about him, makes that journey just a little bit easier."
Read more: Appeal to help bring Carnforth man home after tragic holiday swimming pool accident - Beyond Radio
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