A three-year-old girl has been left without a father after David Hartley, 28, died in his sleep during a family holiday to Antalya, Turkey. The father from Gateshead, Tyneside, had sleep apnoea and a heart condition, according to his family.
David's sudden and unexpected death has left his relatives facing a substantial bill to repatriate his body to the UK, as he did not have travel insurance. The cost of repatriation typically ranges from £3,000 to £6,000, but may be higher for more distant locations.
In a bid to bring David home, his cousin Megan set up a GoFundMe page, which has raised nearly £10,000 in just one day. The family expressed their overwhelming gratitude for the support, with Megan saying: 'We are absolutely overwhelmed. In just one day, almost £8,000 has been raised for David.'
David's family have suffered multiple losses in recent years, including his grandmother and mother. Megan added: 'This is an unimaginable loss for our family. In the space of just three years, we have lost David's grandma, his mum, and now David himself.'
The family is now focused on bringing David home to give him the funeral he deserves. The fundraiser continues to grow, with the community rallying to support the grieving family.
