Dartford man back in UK for operation after falling from balcony in Turkey

Charlie Smith at 3am ready to go in an ambulance Charlie Smith at 3am ready to go in an ambulance

A 25-YEAR-OLD Dartford man who broke his back after falling from a balcony in Turkey has arrived back in the UK.

News Shopper previously reported how Charlie Smith, of Lowerfield Street, flew out to Marmaris on September 27 for an 11-day holiday with his mum Heather Parry and seven-year-old brother Kane Parry.

But on October 5 disaster struck when the father-of-one fell from their third floor balcony at the Green Nature Resort and Spa - breaking his back in three places.

Yesterday (October 22) Charlie arrived at Stoke Mandeville Hospital for a special operation to remove bone fragment from his spinal cord to help him walk again.

Miss Parry, of Havelock Road, Gravesend, raised £7,000 to fly Charlie home by selling his car, pawning jewellery and borrowing money from friends.

But the 45-year-old has had to remain in Turkey as £5,000 still needs to be raised for medical bills.

A Facebook group called Charlie Smith Recovery Fund has raised around £700.

Yesterday the group posted an update, which said: "Unfortunately, heather is unable to travel home with Charlie.

"The cost was too high & heather needs to tie up loose ends in Turkey with the medical Bill etc. we really do need to get the funds rolling in now. Please keep spreading the word. X"

While Miss Parry posted on the group: "WANNA SAY A BIG THANK YOU 2 EVERYONE WHO HAS HELPED ME AND CHARLIE IN THIS NITEMARE...WEATHER IT WAS SENDING EMAILS..MAKING FONE CALLS OR DONATING YOUR TIME AND MONEY..I COULD'NT HAVE COME THIS FAR WITHOUT UR HELP AND SUPPORT. XXXXX"

Friends are holding a fundraising football match at Goals, in Green Street Green Road, Dartford, on Friday (October 26) from 8.30pm.

Meanwhile, Source of Sound in Tonbridge is holding a rave on November 16 from 9pm to 6am.

Entry costs £10 and the DJs and MCs will perform for free.

To make a donation, email hevparry@hotmail.co.uk

Comments(8)

Dartbored says...
11:18am Tue 23 Oct 12

Call me a cantankerous old g*t, but is that message on facebook for real?

I feel sorry for the guy and his family and the situation they find themselves in, it must be a "nitemare" (sic)

But if you're making an impassionate plea for funds, is it too much to ask that the actual request be in English, as opposed to text speak?

Maybe it's an age/snobbery thing, but stories like this and the "beer and fags" memorial leave me cold - I have every sympathy, but little in the way of empathy.

Gypo.Joe says...
11:21am Tue 23 Oct 12

Dartbored wrote:
Call me a cantankerous old g*t, but is that message on facebook for real?

I feel sorry for the guy and his family and the situation they find themselves in, it must be a "nitemare" (sic)

But if you're making an impassionate plea for funds, is it too much to ask that the actual request be in English, as opposed to text speak?

Maybe it's an age/snobbery thing, but stories like this and the "beer and fags" memorial leave me cold - I have every sympathy, but little in the way of empathy.
Great minds think alike Dartbored. You are bang on the money son.

the wall says...
11:55am Tue 23 Oct 12

Gypo.Joe wrote:
Dartbored wrote: Call me a cantankerous old g*t, but is that message on facebook for real? I feel sorry for the guy and his family and the situation they find themselves in, it must be a "nitemare" (sic) But if you're making an impassionate plea for funds, is it too much to ask that the actual request be in English, as opposed to text speak? Maybe it's an age/snobbery thing, but stories like this and the "beer and fags" memorial leave me cold - I have every sympathy, but little in the way of empathy.
Great minds think alike Dartbored. You are bang on the money son.
Hear, hear.

Fone ?

Gypo.Joe says...
12:00pm Tue 23 Oct 12

WEATHER !........ LOL.


You really couldn't make it up.

Dartbored says...
2:26pm Tue 23 Oct 12

Thought I was going to be slaughtered for my views on this one...nice to know it's not just me.

Anyway, must go, the fone is ringing...

mouthalmighty says...
3:32pm Tue 23 Oct 12

Great news that this young man is home. Well done to every person involved in making tIs happen. His smile says a thousand word. Obviously loved very much and he knows it. All you bad wishers, let it go. We all do naughty silly things and hope they don't count against us. Get well don young man.

Dartbored says...
2:46pm Wed 24 Oct 12

I'm not a bad wisher at all, and nowhere did I post anything negative towards the guy. I've done many a stupid thing in my life (especially on lads holidays) - if you read my post I express my sincere sympathy.

My comment related to the incredulous post by mum on Facebook. My six year old has a better grasp of grammar and comprehension and I'm sorry, but if she chooses to use NS as a platform to generate interest/sympathy/do
nations then her message should at least resemble something written in English.

I do, of course, wish them all the best.

Outandabout says...
4:25pm Fri 26 Oct 12

Maybe there was a sign 'do not stand hear no matter wot the whether, the balconie wont take your wait'

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