A British family is making an urgent appeal for support after 24-year-old Will Ponter suffered a serious spinal injury during the final day of his holiday in Antalya, Turkey. Will had been enjoying the trip with his partner, Becky Francey, when he entered the hotel swimming pool and was injured. Becky quickly realized something was wrong and helped get him to medical care. Will was later transferred to a specialist hospital, where doctors performed a difficult 13-hour operation. His family says the surgery went well, and he is now breathing independently, but he remains in intensive care and faces a long period of recovery. Becky said the experience changed everything in an instant, and the family is now focused on helping Will become stable enough to eventually return home to England.

The family is also facing a major financial challenge because their insurance does not cover all of the medical and transportation costs. A fundraising campaign has been launched to help pay for Will’s intensive care, specialist medical transport and the changes that may be needed when he returns home. The family estimates that medical transport alone could cost around £120,000, while each day in intensive care in Turkey is adding significantly to the expenses. Their fundraising goal is at least £150,000, and supporters have already contributed more than £120,000. Through the uncertainty, Becky says the kindness shown by people back home has given the family strength. “We just take it hour by hour,” she explained, describing the support as feeling like “a big hug from around the world.” For now, the family’s greatest hope is simply to bring Will home safely and give him the care and support he needs for the difficult journey ahead.