A British mother has issued a heartfelt and tearful plea for public assistance to bring her critically injured son back to the United Kingdom following a devastating accident in Thailand. Tiger Duggan, aged 23, remains on life support in a hospital in Bangkok after being struck by a vehicle while riding his motorbike on the island of Koh Samui last Sunday.
Urgent Fundraising Appeal Launched
His mother, Lisa Duggan, who is at his bedside alongside his aunt Lena, has made an emotional public appeal for financial support to facilitate Tiger's emergency medical repatriation. In a moving video statement, Lisa implored, "I am begging you please help us, help us get this boy home, whichever way that may look. Please reach deep into your pockets. Every penny counts... Your support means more than words can express."
Lisa and her colleagues at Milton Keynes University Hospital have established a GoFundMe campaign, which has already garnered an impressive £150,000 in donations. The fundraising target is set at £200,000 to cover the extensive costs associated with the air ambulance transfer and ongoing medical expenses.
Critical Time Constraints and Insurance Delays
The fundraiser's description highlights the urgent nature of the situation, stating that time is running out for Tiger, who requires specialist treatment in the UK. It is estimated that the flight alone will cost approximately £150,000. Additionally, medical bills in Thailand must be settled promptly, as they cannot be accrued, meaning funds have already been disbursed.
Despite Tiger having medical insurance, the family reports significant delays in accessing support, with approval processes expected to take several weeks. A spokesperson emphasized, "Unfortunately, he can’t afford to wait. The emergency transfer must happen now to give him the best chance at survival."
Community Support and Family Response
Tiger, originally from Milton Keynes, had relocated to Perth, Australia, to work for a gold mining company prior to the accident. He was initially feared dead at the crash scene but was resuscitated by emergency responders and first taken to a local hospital on Koh Samui before being airlifted to Bangkok for advanced care.
Emily Darlington, the Labour MP for Milton Keynes Central, expressed her devastation, saying, "I’m devastated to hear about this accident. Tiger is a young man from our community, and we are all praying for his recovery."
Tiger's father, Kieran, and younger brother, River, are currently en route to Bangkok to join Lisa and Lena. Lisa noted that River has been profoundly affected by the incident, as he deeply admires his older brother.
Emotional Direct Appeal
In her video message, Lisa directly addressed Tiger, stating, "Ti we are rooting for you. We really are. Please help." The family remains hopeful that Tiger will stabilize sufficiently to be safely transported back to the UK for continued medical treatment, underscoring the critical importance of the fundraising efforts in ensuring his survival and recovery.
