A Welsh couple’s four-night trip to Portugal turned into an unexpected and challenging journey as they found themselves unable to return home. Tequilla Huntley and David Barnett, from Barry, planned a short getaway to Faro before the arrival of their son. However, their holiday took a drastic turn when Tequilla experienced complications. While relaxing on sun loungers, she began bleeding, leading to an emergency situation. A nurse on-site assisted, and Tequilla was rushed to the hospital for an emergency C-section due to a placental abruption.
The doctors informed David that both Tequilla and the baby were in critical condition, with only a 50/50 chance of survival. Miraculously, both Tequilla and their son, Kobe, pulled through. Born prematurely, Kobe required intensive care in the hospital’s neonatal unit, facing challenges like breathing assistance, skin treatment, and feeding support due to his fragile state. Despite being born weighing just two pounds with a brain bleed, Kobe has been slowly progressing and gaining weight under close monitoring in an incubator.
Tequilla expressed the difficulties of being in a foreign country during such a challenging time, away from the support of their loved ones. While their travel insurance covered medical expenses and accommodation, it couldn’t finance an air ambulance transfer back to the UK for Kobe’s specialized care. Lia’s Wings, a UK charity supporting families with premature babies stranded abroad, has stepped in to facilitate Kobe’s safe transfer back home. Tequilla, David, and their families have been fundraising to cover the remaining costs of £12,250 for the air ambulance.
In a bid to bring Kobe to Cardiff for ongoing care and family support, David’s sister, Claire Savoury, initiated a GoFundMe campaign, which has garnered significant donations. The outpouring of support from both known and anonymous donors has been heartwarming, highlighting the community’s generosity towards the family’s plight. Every contribution, no matter how small, has made a meaningful impact in aiding Kobe’s journey back home.
The uncertainty and challenges faced by Tequilla, David, and baby Kobe underscore the importance of community support and solidarity during times of crisis. Despite the distance and language barriers, the family’s resilience and the unwavering support of strangers have been a beacon of hope in their journey towards reuniting in familiar surroundings. The ongoing efforts to fund Kobe’s transfer reflect the power of collective compassion and the strength that emerges when people come together to help those in need.