A couple who feared they might have to sell their home to get their newborn back from Turkey have been saved - after a charity agreed to foot the bill. Louise Crawshaw-Bowen, 37, and husband Stephen, 27, were stranded in Antalya after little Wolfe was born seven-and-a-half weeks early.
The newlyweds say they have insurance, but claim they were told it was only valid if a baby was delivered more than eight weeks premature. This left them facing bills of more than £51,000 to get a medical flight home, they say - and potentially higher costs if they stayed put.
But the couple announced last night that their pleas have been met by the Royal British Legion, who have agreed to help with the costs. Nail technician Louise and Stephen, who is in the British Army, have already raised more than £9,000 via a GoFundMe page.
Lucy Air Ambulance, an emergency flight charity, has also offered to pay £8,000 towards the costs. And it's understood that the Royal British Legion, while helps members of the armed forces, will now foot the rest of the bill.
The couple, from Trowbridge, Wilts., said in a statement: "Our son is strong enough to fly home Via Lucy Air Ambulance for Children/Capital Air with the special care needed to get our boy home. He will return to the UK on Saturday the 6th of August, then straight to Bath NICU as soon as Louise & Wolfe land by ambulance where he will remain until he is well enough to finally come home.
"The remainder of the costs will be covered by Royal British Legion, who we can not thank enough. We would like thank everyone for supporting us back home and for everyone who has made it possible for us to get our boy home.
"We would also like to thank every single person who made a donation, I cannot thank you all enough. I hope some time in the future I can repay the kindness and generosity you all have shown me and my family.
"Please do keep following Wolfe's page for updates. We would love to keep sharing our story with you all, it is the least we can do. If you would like to make a donation, please donate to Lucy’s Air Ambulance & Royal British Legion."
Wolfe was born via emergency caesarean section on July 25. He is unable to breathe on his own and has an infection in his lungs.
Doctors in Turkey had said he could have required at least another three weeks of hospital care before he could fly commercial. The Royal British Legion confirmed it was helping the Crawshaw-Bowens, and said a full statement would be provided in due course.
