Goa needs to do a miracle, for the "miraculous man" Mr.Lenny Woolridge (79 Yrs Old) get back home to his family in England.
Mr. Lenny had a tragic accidental fall from 3 stories within 12 hours of arriving at Goa, and since then is admitted at GMCH Bambolim in ICU. Goa needs to show, Goa cares.
Gorleston-On-Sea is a town of of less than 25,000 inhabitants in the county of Norfolk, England; the town by the sea, to which Mr.Lenny Woolridge belongs to.
The love for the sea, and beaches of Goa, brought the 79 Years old Mr.Lenny to Goa on 1st of March 2023, with along his friends, for a "Once in a lifetime" holiday. Little did he know,this excursion and fun trip, would turn into a grave tragedy, within a few hours of him, setting foot at Goa.
Mr.Lenny and his two friends, after checking into a rented apartment at Anjuna on 1st of March 2023, hired scooters and went out to explore immediately.
When you have already christened the trip as “Once In A Lifetime” holiday, one does not want to waste a single moment.
Later in the evening (then 78 years old), tired after the flight to Goa and day long excursion,he wished to return back to the apartment, and the trio came back.
Mr.Lenny's friends, let him inside the apartment, then locked the door from outside, and carried on for their evening sojourn long the beach.
What happened,after that, is not clear, as Mr.Lenny has not been able to confirm the strings of events, due to his severe injuries.
Apparently,later in the evening,after thoroughly rested, he decided to get himself some fresh air.The door was locked from outside, but that did not deter Mr.Lenny.
Goa for him was an excursion, and a calling that was coming for several years now.
Being an adventurous Englishman, he did not want to be trapped alone in the apartment, and he decided to climb out of the apartment window aiming to reach the landing outside the apartment door via a wall leading to it.
This scene could have been straight out of many a Hollywood movies, and some Hindi movies also, if the end would have been as desired, but the exhilaration of the act, was not forthcoming.
While making this very risky and adventurous move, being late in the evening and dark, Mr.Lenny slipped a foot, and fell 3 Stories, straight to the ground.
It's impossible for even a 29 year old man to survive a 3 stories fall, let alone a 79 year old, but the "Good Karma" and all the help that he has rendered to his local community all his long years, saved him, so miraculously, that this is could as well be a part of any blockbuster Hindi movie; where "miracles" are far more common to occur.
Since, 1st of March 2023, Mr.Lenny Woolridge is admitted in intensive care unit, at Goa Medical College & Hospiat at Bambolim for treatment.Suffering from a punctured lung, fractured ribs and severe head trauma, only about a week back, Mr.Lenny had been able to open his eyes fully, and trying to talk.
Mr.Lenny's daughter and son arrived in Goa in April, to take care of him, but a prolonged stay, not being possible, they had to leave, to attend to their duties. Family of Mr.Lenny has employed Ruth's Care Services based in Miramar, Goa, to provide a 24 hr attendant. And currently, Mr.Sandeep from the company is taking care of him.
Given the circumstances, under which the incident happened, the Insurance company denied any coverage and also, the help from the UK Consulate has not been forthcoming due to rules and regulations.
With the extent of the injuries which Mr.Lenny suffered, the medical expenses has burgeoned, and now all inclusive cost of him getting back to him home at "Gorleston-On-Sea" is British Pound 35,000/-
The family has since then started "Go Fund Me" campaign to get their Dad home and has received enthusiastic response from all over.
While, it's been a miracle, that Mr.Lenny survived a 3 Stories fall at 79, another miracle is needed to get him home.
Goa has been one of the favourite destination of adventure minded people like Mr.Lenny from United Kingdom. Before Covid period 2.71 Lakh tourists arrived from United Kingdom to Goa, which has been second only to Russia.Now, due to a highly unfortunate incident, one of the Tourist from United Kingdom is in GMCH Bambolim, now for more than 2 months and 18 days and needs help from Goa, Government of Goa, Tourism Department and good Samaritans of Goa, to go back home to his family.
An out-of-turn help from the Department of Tourism and Government of Goa towards Mr. Lenny, as a kind gesture towards the people of England, past & present and future tourists coming from there; would go a long way, of winning the hearts and minds of people of England.
Going by the common-sense, the buzz and excitement generated towards the Tourism Department and Government of Goa, when Mr.Lenny returns safely to his home at Norfolk county, would eclipse, any paid advertisement or road show which department does to attract more tourists.This would be one BIG definitive example, that Goa Cares and Department of Tourism in Goa cares.For good Samaritans in Goa, who ever visited England, love England and have ties with England (Specially the British Expats community in and around Candolim), you can contribute towards the getting Mr.Lenny home at this LINK.
Let's show, that Goa and Goans are truly the best host.That, when a tourist is in dire straits and in trouble, we have got her/his back.
Let's bring back, Mr.Lenny Woolridge back to Gorleston-By-Sea, safe and healthy.