Consulate steps in to help stranded Horsforth couple and their premature baby (From Wharfedale Observer)
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Consulate steps in to help stranded Horsforth couple and their premature baby
9:00am Thursday 7th March 2013 in Local news By Observer reporter
A couple who were stranded in Spain after their baby was born prematurely are being helped by the British Consulate.
Zowie Lyons, 25, and Sam Hilton, 20, from Horsforth, were on a short break when little Ellizeah arrived 13 weeks early in January, weighing just 2lb 2oz.
Ellizeah has already undergone three operations and she is expected to be in hospital in Alicante for at least another ten weeks.
Now Zowie’s family in Horsforth is fundraising to help pay for the couple’s expenses while they stay in Spain to be near their daughter.
Horsforth MP Stuart Andrew has been in regular contact with the family for several weeks and has been trying to help them.
He has been working with the British Consulate in Alicante to ensure that the couple will not be homeless when their funds run out. It is understood the Consulate are in regular contact with Sam and have offered accommodation.
Mr Andrew said: “My heart goes out to Zowie and Sam. Having a premature baby is an incredibly stressful and worrying time for any parents at the best of times and to be stuck in a foreign country only compounds this.
“I am aware that the British Consulate in Spain is involved with this case and I hope that the family can be brought back to the UK safely and soon.”
On Sunday Zowie was finally able to hold her daughter, who has undergone life-saving surgery to mend a hole in her intestine as well as an operation on a vein to her heart.
Last week Zowie’s mother Carol appealed for donations of baby items, clothes, accessories and toys that they can sell at a jumble sale to help pay for the couple’s living expenses while they are in Spain.
She said: “It is just like living a nightmare at the moment. We could do with a miracle either to get them home to hospital in England when Ellizeah is well enough or to get enough funds to keep them there.”
