A Dorset man's family have expressed their gratitude after receiving an incredible amount of support in their fundraising campaign – and are hopeful that they will be able to repatriate him back to the UK.

As reported last week, the family of Stuart Haskins launched a fundraiser as he fights for his life in a Cyprus hospital with Covid.

The family have been shown an 'outstanding' amount of support and have raised more than £28,500 of its £34,000 target from the online donation page - the family say they are now looking to repatriate him within days so he can be treated closer to home.

Stuart and his wife Tracey went on holiday for the first time in two years for a ten-day stay in Cyprus. But a day before they were due to come home, dad-of-two Stuart fell ill and was taken to hospital.

The couple were both fully vaccinated against Covid and were due to have their third booster jab prior to leaving the UK, however their appointment was cancelled, apparently due to a shortage of the vaccine.

They were tested in the Cyprus hospital and both were found to have coronavirus.

The family said the next day Tracey, who was asymptomatic, was asked to leave the hospital without being given a chance to say goodbye to Stuart and was driven to an isolation hotel over an hour away where she has been staying alone ever since.

Stuart's condition quickly declined in the hospital after he was diagnosed with double pneumonia and taken to ICU.

His family were liaising with repatriation companies recommended by the British Embassy which said that Stuart needs to come home to a hospital in the UK to receive better care.

However his insurance company told the News, that he was in a 'safe hospital environment' and that it was not safe or appropriate to move him at the time.

His sister, Lisa Tattershall, who lives in Florida, has been desperately trying to help her brother so he can get back to the UK.

The family set up the fundraising page to raise money for a private airlift so Stuart can be treated in a hospital in England where the family believe he will be more comfortable and can be closer to him.

Lisa said that the couple left for Cyprus with travel insurance with RAC but struggled to be able to get the repatriation service that is used by the insurer to help.

She said they had been unable to get him repatriated through their insurers after they kept running into issues.

Lisa said that when speaking to other repatriation services which were recommended to her by the British Embassy, they said they could move Stuart within 24 to 48 hours.

On Monday, November 29, the family's fundraising page was updated.

Tracey said: "My family and I would firstly like to say a massive thank you for all your messages, prayers and donations, you truly are all remarkable people. Stuart remains in the ICU and despite coming off the ventilator two days ago is constantly on oxygen via a nasal cannula.

"We are working closely with the repatriation team and thanks to your wonderful generosity we are hopeful that he will be repatriated back to the UK within the next seven days. Thank you once again, your support has been outstanding."

Stuart and Tracey, both 53, grew up and lived in Bridport before they moved away from the area five years ago to Trowbridge, Wiltshire where they work in a hotel.

They both attended Colfox School and Stuart was an active member of the Bridport Conservative Club and chairman for a number of years, even after moving away.

Stuart and Tracey visit Bridport often and have family living in the area. Stuart's parents live in Beaminster.

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/stuart-haskins?utm_id=2&utm_term=YwZdNW6Vp