Never did we think we would find ourselves asking the internet for charity or help with something like this. Desperate times are upon us and calling for desperate measures.
Our father Stephen, who is Ex-Army, Ex-Police, and a well-loved man, was stuck in Novaliches General Hospital in Manila. He was end of life with an infection spreading to his brain.
This morning (30/01/2023), at roughly 00:46 UK time, Dad passed away.
This man served his queen and country for over 10 years as a Royal Signals Specialist Electronic Warfare Systems Operator. He completed 14 deployment tours which included the Gulf War and Northern Ireland. In Northern Ireland he was hand picked to work on a nationally important task.
He then came home and served the British Police Force for the next 10 years. After serving his country in both the military and police, he suffered badly with PTSD, who many know is a demon the majority struggle to rid themselves of. This man is a hero in our eyes and many others. Dad was also a foster carer for many years, who changed the lives of several young people.
Speaking with the British Consulate and British Embassy, the most they could offer was a visit to the hospital to check on Dad's condition. Ignoring, dismissing and blind to the fact he served his country with everything he had, gave up 20 years of his life to serve his queen, country and government, to be told on his death bed, sorry we cannot offer you more than a visit to check on him. Since Dad's passing, we approached the local media to help spread the word. The media contacted the Foreign Office for a statement, and since then, the Embassy has been back in touch and are helping us liaise with the funeral parlour to get things sorted.
We are asking for help to raise funds to contribute towards the medical bills previously paid by Carol, Dad's partner in the Philippines. She has been left out of pocket after paying the hospital over £500 GBP daily for the meds and care Dad needed. The inevitable has now happened, and transporting him back to the UK is something we simply do not have the means to do between us all. We ask for the generosity and understanding of anyone who reads this. We need our Dad back, home where he belongs, so we can give him a burial/ memorial he deserves. Comments left on social media have made us sick to the core. Not everyone will agree that an Ex Serviceman/ Policeman should be repatriated back home at the cost of the Government. Simply put, if we had the funds this page would not exist. If you disagree, please, keep your comments to yourself. Anything you decide to donate will be hugely appreciated by us all.
The reason we have reduced the amount needing to be raised, is because Dad has now passed. We have decided the most sensible option is to have Dad cremated in the Philippines and repatriated back the UK.
Thank you for taking the time to read.