Samuel Major had just celebrated his 80th birthday before flying to the five-star Limak Lara Deluxe Hotel and Resort in Antalya on June 1 for a week-long vacation with his daughter, niece and grandson. But shortly before flying home, Samuel said he felt unwell and would spend the day resting. The former boxing coach at the Fatfield and Washington Boys Club thought he had a chest infection as a result of COPD, however, in the early morning hours of June 7, his illness was severe and he called for an ambulance. READ MORE: TUI passengers criticize ‘disgusting treatment’ after flight cancellation from Newcastle and ‘run out of food’ The grandfather of the three was automatically transported to a private hospital called Antalya Anadolu Hastanesi where he was diagnosed with pneumonia, sedated and placed on a ventilator. But Samuel’s already troubled family faced another shock when they found out he had no insurance which meant they were facing 1. 1,800 a day in medical bills. Nicola Randles’s daughter said the family hoped Samuel would be taken to a lower-cost public hospital this week before being taken home to the UK for further treatment. In an effort to help pay for medical bills and flight home, Nicola has set up a fundraising page in the hope of raising 25 25,000. Samuel Major is on vacation in Turkey. (Image: Nicola Randles) Self-employed hairdresser Nicola said: “We thought it was a heart attack and Covid at first, but after talking to a translator, we were told it was pneumonia. lungs. “We are receiving limited information [but] “His vital signs are improving and he has 40% less oxygen.” The father of three enjoyed his week drinking and dancing in the sun without signs of illness before being diagnosed, his family said. Now Samuel’s daughter, Samantha Major, is set to travel to the UK with the rest of the family on June 13, having used her savings to stay in Turkey with her dad. This means that the family will rely solely on updates on Samuel’s condition from the hospital translators and their travel agent Jet2. Washington grandfather Samuel Major with her daughter Nicola Randles. (Image: Nicola Randles) “My message to people would be to make sure they have insurance,” Nikola said. “Dad was so irresponsible he didn’t take it [insurance] and I feel awful that I did not check to make sure he had it. I know a lot of people will say, ‘Do you think he would have been insured,’ but at the end of the day, my dad’s not worth it. [what’s happened to him]. ” Appealing for donations, Nicola added: “This is anyone’s worst nightmare. “We are really worried about him. It’s just a desperate situation and I do not know where to turn. “We just need a little help.” For donation visit: READ NEXT:
