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A schoolgirl from the Black Country is fighting for her life after being airlifted and taken to Birmingham Children’s Hospital following her falling ill on a half-term holiday. Lucy Wright from Bloxwich in Walsall was away with her family in Poland, visiting her grandparents, when her condition suddenly deteriorated. The whole family had suffered from a sickness bug before the trip but they did not believe it to be anything serious. Read more: School placed in lockdown as 'scared' pupils 'hid under tables' Mum, Iwona, Lucy and her three siblings flew to Poland, with dad Michael staying at home due to work. But then Lucy’s condition quickly and dangerously deteriorated on the continent within a couple of days. Lucy’s aunt, Gemma White, said: “What started out as a normal family holiday has turned into every parent’s worst nightmare. “Our eight-year-old niece Lucy and her family travelled to Poland for what was meant to be a happy, relaxing break. “After the whole family suffered from a sickness bug, they thought little of it when Lucy began feeling unwell. “However, her condition quickly and dangerously deteriorated. Lucy was rushed to the hospital, where she has since received multiple blood transfusions, platelets and treatment for sepsis.” Gemma continued: “Further tests revealed extremely worrying results — a high white blood cell count, a low red blood cell count, and random bruises and spots appearing on her body. “Doctors now suspect that Lucy may have leukaemia, but they need to carry out biopsies to confirm this. “Due to how weak and fragile she is, Lucy’s doctors are hesitant to put her to sleep for these procedures. “They believe it’s safer for her to return home to the UK, where she can receive further testing and treatment surrounded by her family and medical specialists who can provide the care she desperately needs. “Right now, Lucy is critically ill, scared, and far from home. “She cannot walk and is undergoing intense treatment in a foreign hospital, while her family are separated and struggling to be by her side. “All they want is to bring their little girl home so she can receive the care she needs — and to be together as a family at this vital time.” Read more: Aston Villa v Maccabi policing update as hundreds of officers to take to streets Polish medics told the family on Thursday (October 30) they suspect the Walsall youngster may have leukaemia, but a bone marrow biopsy is needed to confirm this. If the biopsies were carried out in Poland they were told Lucy would not be home for Christmas . But as Lucy is critically ill, she cannot fly on a normal flight and has had to be airlifted home by air ambulance, accompanied by a full medical team. Lucy’s mum had taken a EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) abroad, which covers her treatment in Poland – but it does not cover the medical transfer flight back home. Charity Lia’s Wings, which transports critically ill children home to the UK, offered to bring Lucy home – but has said it will cost £27,000 to do it. Gemma said: “Lia’s Wings is an incredible charity and they have asked us to raise as much as we can towards the costs to bring Lucy home. “They said they have other children around the world currently waiting but are willing to prioritise Lucy to come home this Monday as it is time-critical. “As a family, we simply don’t have the funds to do this alone. “We’re doing everything we can to raise the money, but we need your help. “Every donation — whether it’s £1, £2, or more — brings us one step closer to getting Lucy home safely.” Read more: Man dies days after suffering ‘minor injuries’ following being hit by car in city Gemma has set up a GoFundMe page to contribute towards the costs of bringing Lucy home. She said: “We have just one month to raise the funds. Please, if you can, donate and share this page. “Your kindness could make all the difference in reuniting this family and helping Lucy get the care she urgently needs. “Any extra funds raised will go directly to Lia’s Wings, which does not benefit financially from this appeal. “They have told us there are multiple children across Europe waiting to be brought home safely, and every extra penny will help make that possible. “From the bottom of our hearts — thank you.” Gemma told BirminghamLive that Lucy has been flown home on Monday (November 3), with her dad Michael flying out to be with her in the air ambulance home. She is currently at Birmingham Children’s Hospital . Lia’s Wings chief operations officer, Charlotte Young, said: “I am incredibly proud to have led this time-critical response to the medical emergency that Lucy is experiencing. “Lia’s Wings is the only charity that exists to support families who face the unimaginable – an unexpected medical crisis, whilst in a foreign country. “With compassion and care, our role is to facilitate the safe transfer back to the UK for ongoing care and support. “Our thoughts are with Lucy and her family, and we will remain by the family’s side for as long as they need us.” Get the latest BirminghamLive news direct to your inbox Lia’s Wings is now based at London Biggin Hill Airport and also flies from Bristol Airport and Teesside. As well as airlifting children home, it also flies children overseas for treatment to ‘ensure that every British baby and child can access vital medical treatment and care, no matter where they are’. It also provides ongoing support for families.
