Stroke victim reunited with family

This is the heartwarming first image of a family reunited with their mum.
REUNITED:  David Blackburn, Sharon Borrowdale, Doreen Blakburn, and flight nurses Nicki Paver and Roxy Carter (S)REUNITED:  David Blackburn, Sharon Borrowdale, Doreen Blakburn, and flight nurses Nicki Paver and Roxy Carter (S)
REUNITED: David Blackburn, Sharon Borrowdale, Doreen Blakburn, and flight nurses Nicki Paver and Roxy Carter (S)

Doreen Blackburn, a former Burnley and Pendle nurse, had been stranded in Portugal after suffering two major strokes.

The 78-year-old had expressed a desire to return to England, having moved across to the European country 15 years ago with her husband Maurice. But after falling ill, and having used her health insurance after contracting lung cancer, her relatives were told the devastating news that it would cost £12,000 to get her back home.

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Now, following fund-raisers and individual donations, Doreen’s daughter Sharon Borrowdale was able to accompany her on a five hour flight back to the UK - a moment the family never thought they would see.

Mrs Blackburn is now in Airedale Hospital, where she is currently undergoing medical assessments.

Mrs Borrowdale (53), of Grassington Drive, Burnley, said: “It has been very emotional from start to finish, and I am still on cloud nine.

“As a family, we just couldn’t believe it was happening. One minute there was all this trauma and fund-raising, and next minute she’s here.

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“We are all just speechless and we can’t thank everybody enough - from the paramedics, to the British Consul, to everybody who has been fund-raising.”

Mrs Blackburn’s husband will return to Colne on Sunday