Bolton mum home after heart attack and crash on holiday

Deborah Willcock, 62, from Harwood, went on a family holiday to Montego Bay with her husband Mike, daughter Ashley, son Aaron, and her five grandchildren on Wednesday, August 23.

But she suffered a heart attack two days later on Friday, August 25 and remained in intensive care.

And she was also involved in a car crash, whe was on the way back from another hospital to have tests, she was involved in an ambulance crash with six other cars.

At the time Deborah’s family say that she made a genuine error of not stating she had diabetes type 2, and whilst the insurance company AXA “sympathise” with Deborah’s situation, they said that not disclosing certain information can invalidate a policy.

Deborah Willcock with her husband Mike (Image: Public)

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This meant that Deborah was unable to return home, but thanks to the community rallying together, she is now in Wythenshawe Hospital awaiting a triple bypass surgery.

Her daughter Ashley said: “My cousin Samantha Owen flew over to Jamaica.

“We didn’t know who to trust, and when she told us she was going to fly over, and they said mum could go home with my cousin as a medical escort, it felt like a big relief.

“I have no words.

“They said she was okay on the ground, but above ground it would put a strain on her heart.”

Deborah after a crash (Image: Public)Ashley was due to get married to Danny Maskell at the time and says whilst it was upsetting that this could not go ahead, all she cares about is her mum’s recovery.

She said: “It’s upsetting and not the best outcome, but my mum is alive, and I just want my mum to get out of hospital and to continue to recover.

“I am glad she is here and getting the help she needs.”

The family managed to raise almost £30k from GoFundMe donations, and around £1,400 from a fundraiser at the Mosley Arms pub in Breightmet.

All together the family spent £73k, which included savings and the money from GoFundMe, which went towards an angiogram, and two stents, although they were unable to complete this, as well as hospital treatments, and travel to the UK.

Collection buckets were also left at the tills of Morrisons in Breightmet, Harwood Pharmacy, Nissa on Bury Road, and the Co-op on Tonge Moor Road.

Deborah Willcock with her husband Mike (Image: Public)Ashley added: “As a family, we are overwhelmed, and didn’t think people would donate such a large amount of money to us.

“My mum has worked in social work for the past 25 years and she has helped so many people, and this shows how much she’s touched people’s hearts.”

Deborah is now waiting for her blood to become thick enough again before she can have the surgery she needs.

Ashley also said that the hotel they stayed in were “amazing” and did not charge them for the extra 10 days they had to stay in Jamaica.

If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.