The sister of a critically ill British woman stranded in Saudi Arabia has launched an urgent appeal to raise £110,000 for a medical evacuation flight. Laura Storr, 35, requires a lung transplant but does not qualify for the procedure in Saudi Arabia. She has been approved for treatment on the NHS, but needs the funds to cover the cost of a specialist medivac.
Laura, originally from Essex, moved to Saudi Arabia in 2020 to manage a fitness studio. She suffers from pulmonary arterial hypertension, a progressive and often fatal lung condition. Her sister Emily said Laura's condition has worsened over the past two months, and she is now too ill to travel on a commercial flight.
Emily set up a GoFundMe page, stating: 'Due to the ongoing conflict in the region, the cost of this medivac is significantly higher than usual. The situation has made travel more complex and urgent, requiring additional resources, planning, and specialist support to ensure Laura can be transported safely.'
Laura has medical insurance through her work covering her current costs, but it does not cover the evacuation. Her consultant has warned that she needs to return to the UK urgently. Emily added: 'She's now picked up an infection where it feels like her lungs are bruised and she's really lacking in oxygen now. She's coughing up quite a lot of blood.'
