A Gravesend mum is trying to raise £12,000 to bring her Dartford son home from Turkey after he fell from a balcony

1:22pm Thursday 11th October 2012 in News By Kelly Smale

Charlie Smith Charlie Smith

A MOTHER is desperately trying to raise £12,000 to bring her son home from Turkey after he broke his back falling from a balcony.

Heather Parry and her two sons Kane Parry, aged seven, and 25-year-old Charlie Smith, flew out to Marmaris on September 27 for an 11-day holiday.

But on October 5 Charlie, who has a one-year-old son, fell from their third floor balcony at the Green Nature Resort and Spa - breaking his back in three places.

Miss Parry, of Havelock Road, Gravesend, told News Shopper: "I heard him screaming so I ran to the balcony and saw him laying on the floor.

"I phoned reception and they got an ambulance.

"I don't really know what happened.

"Apparently they were saying at the hospital that Charlie said he jumped off the balcony.

"When I asked him he said he couldn't remember."

She added: "He has been very depressed over the death of his father who had cancer.

"The day we flew out to Turkey was a year to the day we buried his dad."

Charlie, of Lowerfield Street, Dartford, has undergone an operation to remove bone fragment from his spinal cord and requires another operation.

Miss Parry has raised £7,000 but still needs to find £5,000 to pay for medical bills and a plane to bring him home on a stretcher.

She said: "I have sold his car, pawned jewellery and borrowed money from friends - I have exhausted every avenue.

"I need to get as much money as I can to get him home."

Miss Parry used Virgin Insurance to cover their trip but says the company will not pay out as it does not cover balcony incidents.

A Facebook group has been set up called Charlie Smith Recovery Fund to try and raise more cash.

Miss Parry returned from Turkey on Monday (October 8) but is flying back tomorrow (October 12) to be with Charlie.

A Virgin Money spokeswoman said: "We are aware of the claim and we are investigating.

"We are dealing directly with the customer’s family and are unable to make any further comment at this stage."

 

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

Comments(20)

Outandabout says...
1:40pm Thu 11 Oct 12

I sympathise with this family's plight but you have to ask why insurance companies now don't cover 'balcony incidents'. I can't recall the last time one happened in the UK but abroad Brits are doing it in great numbers and it isn't hard to figure out why. I hope the family are able to borrow the money and bring him home but for me I'm afraid there are other causes I would rather donate to.

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heather.s 67 says...
2:12pm Thu 11 Oct 12

i am the mother of the man in this story and i want 2 make it clear...there were no drink or drugs involved in this tragic accident...my son was on a family holiday with myself and his 7yr old autisic brother..and as you feel you would rather donate else where thats fine...i hope you never find yourself in the position i am in...trying 2 get my son 2 uk for an operation or he may never walk again

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ayse.s says...
3:06pm Thu 11 Oct 12

This is a tragic accident that no mother should have to go though, r anyone. and poor charlie must of been so scared and must b still scared of wot has happened and upset and just wants to get bk home for urgent medical treatment and have his family around him. I Hope people r kind enough to donate to the fund and get charlie back hme soon x

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levi's says...
3:12pm Thu 11 Oct 12

hi im the mother of charlies son as seen in the picture! to all those who can help and have the heart to help please do so. charlie needs to come home to england to have an operation that will hopefully help towards him gaining the use of his legs again, so that one day he can walk with his son and maybe run and play football with him, this is a plea from the heart to all those mums and dads out there who have children and have the pleasure of doing these simple things every day with their child. heather charlies mum has set up funds on face book and run herself ragged trying to find the money to get our charlie home, so please please if you can help then do so. xx

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Emily14 says...
3:21pm Thu 11 Oct 12

I can't believe the heartless people out there that actually couldn't careless, my heart goes out to you Heather..... And I hope your son will be brought home soon to his family where he belongs!! Xx

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Markosborne1988. says...
7:36pm Thu 11 Oct 12

Thinking about you and your family Charlie I hope u get better n will try and promote for you and get people donate in and to outandabout you do not no Charlie he is a kind person a good friend and a good dad what better cause is thee then getin a farther back to his child and family and all his friends if Charlie was in a persition to help any 1 he would

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longshanks2 says...
8:16pm Thu 11 Oct 12

I would happily donate if i knew how to, i hope Charlie is brought home ASAP, Good luck

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heather.s 67 says...
10:29pm Thu 11 Oct 12

thank u 2 the people for ur kind words..n the ones posting negative comments...u dont no me or my family or the circumstances surrounding this tragic accident so keep ur thoughts 2 your self as u obviously have nothing better 2 do than feed off other peoples misery.

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JH1964 says...
7:07am Fri 12 Oct 12

https://www.facebook
.com/CharlieSmithRec
overyFund?ref=hl

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ANDY MERRIGAN says...
7:11am Fri 12 Oct 12

(I am Trustee to the fund, info for donations bottom of comment) Thankyou to all who have already donated to the "Charlie Smith Recovery Fund" It been a slow start, but with now getting more news coverage. So we can still carry on raising the total "further" please. I would hope that memebers of the public, would take a moment and think abouts whats happened. Also take into account, if it were you son? What would you do? The same as us because we are only human at the end of the day.... and only ask for help when we need it.... That time is now for us... Donations can be made through the "PAYPAL" money transfer site, and be sent to: hevparry@hotmail.co.
uk . Thankyou to all, and all Charlie Smiths well wishers..

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ANDY MERRIGAN says...
7:20am Fri 12 Oct 12

When in PAYPAL it will ak you what you prefer to send the money as?
Use "Purchase" then "Services"
so that you wont pay a service fee..

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tj.kent says...
9:49am Fri 12 Oct 12

I do hope the money is raised to bring Charlie home, i do not know him. On the insurance issue, i have been on the Virgin website, in their T&C's they make no mention of any such exclusions, the only exclusion you could associate is the "Reckless or Malicious Acts" exclusion. The mum should ask what the specific exclusion is they are trying to hide behind! their are ways to complain the to their regulator. Start an official complaint if you have not already done so. Good luck, and a hopefully a a trip home.

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annonymous2487 says...
9:56am Fri 12 Oct 12

I cant believe how many heartless people who are out there and feel the need to make comments which are nasty and unhelpful. If you have nothing nice to say dont say it at alll!!!

I do not know this family or this man but it is tragic- I have just got back from staying at a hotel nearby and heard about the incident whilst we were there. I hope that Charlie gets the money he needs to fly home to the UK and get the care he needs- my heart goes out to all those involved.x

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Gypo.Joe says...
11:42am Fri 12 Oct 12

When you ask people to donate I think its fair to ask the question how or why did he fall.

Was it a drink related fall ? Sorry if that offends you but I'm asking anyway.

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christineargent says...
2:36pm Fri 12 Oct 12

Outandabout wrote:
I sympathise with this family's plight but you have to ask why insurance companies now don't cover 'balcony incidents'. I can't recall the last time one happened in the UK but abroad Brits are doing it in great numbers and it isn't hard to figure out why. I hope the family are able to borrow the money and bring him home but for me I'm afraid there are other causes I would rather donate to.
Very Harsh

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jhaywardgant says...
9:31am Sat 13 Oct 12

I am thinking of you and your family, a sad tragedy which has caused terrible stress to the family.
I suggest talking to watchdog as this needs to be highlighted to others who stay above the ground floor in properties abroad.
Have you gone to your local Mp for help and advise and the local MEP?
I will certainly be sharing this on my FB page and donating towards his return to the UK.
I wish you all the best as a family.

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The Navigator says...
9:58am Sat 13 Oct 12

Have you approached the Financial Ombudsman Service? The only draw back is that currently it is taking them in excess of 6 months . Alternatively you can take them to County Court which is quicker BUT if you lose at County Court you can't then go to the FOS. Some companies choose to settle out of court. What type of Virgin insurance policy did your son have?

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fruittwist37 says...
2:26pm Tue 16 Oct 12

longshanks2 wrote:
I would happily donate if i knew how to, i hope Charlie is brought home ASAP, Good luck
To donate email hevparry@hotmail.co.
uk

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fruittwist37 says...
2:31pm Tue 16 Oct 12

ANDY MERRIGAN wrote:
(I am Trustee to the fund, info for donations bottom of comment) Thankyou to all who have already donated to the "Charlie Smith Recovery Fund" It been a slow start, but with now getting more news coverage. So we can still carry on raising the total "further" please. I would hope that memebers of the public, would take a moment and think abouts whats happened. Also take into account, if it were you son? What would you do? The same as us because we are only human at the end of the day.... and only ask for help when we need it.... That time is now for us... Donations can be made through the "PAYPAL" money transfer site, and be sent to: hevparry@hotmail.co.

uk . Thankyou to all, and all Charlie Smiths well wishers..
Can't send much, but I will be donating, hope he makes a speedy recovery :)

Report this post »

longshanks2 says...
2:02pm Wed 17 Oct 12

I have donated through pay, not a lot but i hope it help,

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