Government to help bring Mark home

Conor McGinn MP raised the plight of 28-year-old Mark and his family’s appeal to fundraise £50,000 to get him home in the House of Commons today, Thursday,

Mark has been in a critical condition in hospital in Perth, Australia, after suffering a severe brain injury as the result of an quad bike accident.

His family, who live in Billinge, have travelled to Australia to be with him but need to raise almost £25,000 to reach the total in a matter of weeks so that he can make the journey back to the UK, accompanied by a full medical team.

The St Helens North MP said: “I have been in touch with Mark’s parents Julie and Malcolm since shortly after his tragic accident.

“I and my office are liaising closely with the family to do whatever we can to help get them the support they need in Australia, and to enable them to make the journey back to the UK with Mark.

“I hope by raising this in the House of Commons it will help Mark’s family with their fundraising efforts and ensure they receive the full support of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.”

Family friends Paul and Sue Darbyshire launched a fundraising appeal shortly after Mark’s accident on November 10 and raised more than £25,000.

But it was only last week that they found out it would cost almost twice that to get him home.

“I know they have received tremendous support from the community in St Helens and I know everyone will get behind them to help raise the money they need to get Mark back home to Billinge,” Mr McGinn said.

“I am grateful to the Leader of the House for his assurance that the Government and the Diplomatic Service will do everything they can to help the Middlehursts, and I will be in contact again with the Foreign Secretary next week to ask for an update.

“People say the world is a small place these days. But the Middlehurst’s experience shows that home can feel very far away when something awful like thing happens. They are in all our thoughts and prayers, and I know everyone at home will keeping doing whatever we can to support them through this.”

To donate, visit gofundme.com/mark-middlehurst.