A family has made a desperate plea for help to bring their dad home after he suffered life-threatening injuries while on holiday in India. 

Gorleston man Lenny Wooldridge has been in hospital in Goa for more than two months with a punctured lung, fractured ribs and severe head trauma following a fall.  

The accident happened on March 1, only 12 hours after the 79-year-old had arrived in the subcontinent for a 'once in a lifetime' trip.  

He was immediately put on life support and a ventilator. 

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Lenny Wooldridge is well known around Gorleston and Great Yarmouth as a 'mechanic extraordinaire'. Lenny Wooldridge is well known around Gorleston and Great Yarmouth as a 'mechanic extraordinaire'. (Image: Supplied by Wooldridge family)

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Mr Wooldridge, who is well known around Gorleston and Great Yarmouth, had taken out travel insurance but the company declined his claim - leaving his family with a massive bill for healthcare and for bringing him home. 

His children Phil and Steph travelled to Goa to see their father and since their return the family has been “bracing themselves for a dreaded phonecall".

Last week a videocall brought some better news - Mr Wooldridge's eyes were wide open, he was moving in the bed and trying to talk. 

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Lenny Wooldridge's family have been able to see him over videocalls to a hospital in Goa in India. Lenny Wooldridge's family have been able to see him over videocalls to a hospital in Goa in India. (Image: Supplied by Wooldridge family)

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As his condition has improved the cost of flying him back to the UK has fallen, and now stands at £35,000. 

Daughter-in-law Susan Wooldridge said: "We thought long and hard before asking for help via Go Fund Me but as Lenny’s current care is costing us around £200 per week as the insurance has declined to help, so with this in mind we felt we had no option but to ask for help and support.” 

 

 

 

The family is hoping to raise £10,000. So far, they have raised more than £7,000. 

Ms Wooldridge said that Lenny, whose son Phil played for Great Yarmouth Town FC and Gorleston FC, is "a local legend". 

"Lenny is a mechanic extraordinaire. He fixes people's cars around town," she said.

"You could say his name to almost anyone in Gorleston and they would know him."

To donate visit www.gofundme.com/f/lets-get-lenny-home