Lucy Wright, an eight-year-old schoolgirl from Bloxwich in Walsall, is fighting for her life after her sudden and severe illness while on a half-term holiday to Poland. The trip, intended as a joyful visit with her grandparents, took a devastating turn when Lucy’s health rapidly declined.
Before their holiday, the entire family had experienced a minor sickness bug, which they initially thought was nothing serious. Lucy’s mother, Iwona, traveled with Lucy and her three siblings to Poland, while her father, Michael, stayed behind in the UK for work.
However, within days, Lucy’s condition deteriorated sharply, forcing an urgent hospitalisation. Her aunt, Gemma White, described the situation as “every parent’s worst nightmare.” Lucy was admitted to a local hospital where she underwent multiple blood transfusions and treatments for sepsis.
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Following comprehensive testing, medical staff found alarming readings: an exceptionally high white blood cell count, low red blood cells, and unexplained bruising. Doctors now suspect Lucy may have leukaemia, though biopsies are required to confirm the diagnosis. Due to her fragile state, performing these procedures in Poland poses substantial risks.
Given her critical condition, doctors advised transferring Lucy back to the UK where she can be surrounded by family and receive specialist medical care. The transfer, carried out by the charity Lia’s Wings, required a medically equipped air ambulance and a full medical team to accompany her, as she cannot fly on a standard commercial flight.
Although Lucy’s European Health Insurance Card covers her treatment in Poland, it does not cover the cost of medical repatriation. Lia’s Wings estimates the air ambulance flight will cost around £27,000, a sum beyond the family’s means. The charity has requested donations to help cover the expenses.
Gemma White has launched a GoFundMe campaign urging the community to contribute. She said, “Every donation, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to getting Lucy safely home.” She emphasized that Lia’s Wings is committed to prioritizing Lucy’s transfer due to the urgent nature of her condition, but must fundraise quickly to secure the flight.
Lucy was successfully airlifted and arrived at Birmingham Children’s Hospital on November 3, where she is now receiving intensive care. Her father joined her on the flight to support her in this critical time.
Charlotte Young, chief operations officer of Lia’s Wings, praised the team’s rapid response to Lucy’s medical emergency. She highlighted the charity’s unique role in assisting families facing unexpected health crises abroad by ensuring safe medical transfers home.
Lia’s Wings operates from multiple UK airports and specializes in transporting critically ill children either back to the UK or overseas for necessary treatment, aiming to guarantee access to vital healthcare no matter where children are in the world.
The charity also offers ongoing emotional and practical support to affected families throughout the process, helping them navigate these challenging situations with compassion and care.