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Friends of an "exceptional" British charity worker paralysed in a diving accident in Colombia have raised more than £30,000 to airlift him home - but still need another £60,000.
Daniel Eley, 32, from Godalming in Surrey, is in a critical condition in hospital in the capital Bogotá after suffering head and neck injuries while diving in a river near the border with Brazil.
Mr Eley, who has spent the past two years helping street children in Guatemala and El Salvador, had been working in the southern Colombian city of Cali since September teaching English.
The "devoted" and "altruistic" volunteer was on a short holiday with friends on New Year's Day when the accident happened in the Leticia area, far from medical facilities.
Mr Eley was airlifted to a specialist clinic in Bogotá after a delay of three days. His mother Carolyn, 64, a sociology lecturer at Surrey University, and sister Bridget, have flown out to be by his bedside.
His stepfather David Wheatley, 72, a retired Shell HR manager, has been in close contact with his wife and said the family were trying to stay positive.
Mr Wheatley added: "He is paralysed from the neck down and had three cardiac arrests yesterday. But he is capable of communicating by whispering and smiling.
"It is a dreadful thing to happen to a fit, young man, a really special lad who is universally loved and liked. But he is trying to stay cheerful and his mother is reading him the messages of support." Although medical insurance covers the cost of Mr Eley's care in Colombia it does not cover the estimated £90,000 cost of an air ambulance to bring him back to Britain once his condition stabilises.
Mr Eley, who is fluent in Spanish, is a psychology graduate who attended Greenwich University.
A fundraising campaign has been set up on Facebook by family friend Diana Clift and by the Casa Alianza charity Mr Eley used to work for in Guatemala.
His cousin, internet entrepreneur David Abrehart, 43, said: "Daniel risked his life on a daily basis working in dangerous conditions. But he was devoted to helping disadvantaged street children."
Reader views (1)
Thank you Daniel for your work in Colombia, my birthplace. May God give you the strength and courage to continue all along through this painful experience. There are times when we can't understand WHY... BUT He is the One who can make things work for good to those who love Him...
Please take hold of Him and if you can, find a Bible and be spiritualy nurished by reading it and trusting God for the future. Much love and my prayers,
Esperanza Deleuze
France
- Esperanza Deleuze, Romans - France, 15/01/2010 13:43
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