A repatriation fundraiser has been launched by the desperate friends and family of an army veteran who has been “fighting for his life” in a Filipino hospital after contracting a rare infectious disease.
Kat de La Mare is calling on the public to help raise £15,000 to fund the medical treatment and repatriation costs for islander Dessie Dalziel, whose solo trip was cut short when he was struck down by melioidosis in the Philippines.
After struggling with what was initially thought to be heatstroke, Mr Dalziel’s condition rapidly declined and he became unable to walk or move with severely swollen legs.
He also developed pneumonia.
Due to the army veteran’s worsening state, a friend flew out to care for him on the island of Siquijor and took Mr Dalziel to a hospital in Dumaguete.
Extensive tests eventually revealed that the islander had melioidosis – an infectious disease contracted through bacteria in soil and water.
After being bedridden for over two-weeks, Mr Dalziel was able to sit up for the first time on Wednesday.
Just over £3,000 has so far been raised of the target amount set by Mrs de La Mare, who is a close family friend of Mr Dalziel.
Describing it as “such an anxious time for us all”, she said she started the fundraiser as the hospital fees mounted and Mr Dalziel’s travel insurer confirmed it would not cover the costs.
Mr Dalziel’s stay in Dumaguete has cost over £3,000 so far – and that figure is rising each day, increased further by food and water costs which the hospital doesn’t provide.
Mrs de La Mare said: “It has put a massive strain on him at a time when he just needs to be focusing on healing. We just want to help him come home”
The money raised will go towards the cost a carer and physiotherapist to support Mr Dalziel’s lengthy rehabilitation process once he has completed the first of many antibiotic courses.
Once well enough, Mr Dalziel hopes to be allowed to fly home to Jersey, where he has been based since retiring from the 2nd Battallion Queen’s Regiment and the 1st Battallion Princess of Wales’s Regiment.
But as melioidosis is such a dangerous disease, Mrs de La Mare said she are unsure when Mr Dalziel will be able to enter the UK.
Mrs de La Mare explained that the army veteran is the first westerner to have contracted the infection, amid what appears to be an outbreak in Siquijor.
Mr Dalziel’s family and friends are in conversation with the British Embassy in the Philippines.
The islander also appeared in Filipino news coverage about the outbreak late last month.
Mrs de La Mare added that “many people love him dearly”, and want to see Mr Dalziel returned home safe and well.
“We are desperately praying that everyone can come together to help him in his time of need and show him that he is loved and won’t be alone and penniless for his relocation and recovery back in Jersey,” she said.
SUPPORT…
You can donate to the fundraiser in support of Mr Dalziel online.
