A YOUNG man who was rushed to hospital with swelling on the brain while on holiday in Ibiza is hoping to say thank you to the footballing community who have raised more than £9,000 to support him.
Ellis Durose, 21, from Bolton-upon-Dearne, was part of the Westville side which won the Montagu Cup this year - and he’s well thought of among the entire footballing community.
He flew out to Ibiza with his friend last Friday ahead of a long weekend in Ibiza - but started to feel unwell on the flight there.
Ellis remained unwell and was rushed to a Spanish hospital before being sedated due to a swelling on the brain.
His dad, Mark, has flown out to Ibiza with his wife Jody to ensure they’re able to be there for his son.
He told the Chronicle: “Him and his mate Harrison had gone away on holiday.
“I got a phone call from Harrison’s dad on Friday afternoon to say that Ellis was unwell.
“Me and my wife Jody flew over.
“He’s got some swelling on his brain due to contracting suspected meningitis.
“Because he was delirious when he came in they had to sedate him because he was pulling all the tubes out.
“It’s not nice to see him like this.”
Ellis told the Chronicle that he doesn’t remember anything from getting to the hotel, right up until he woke up on Monday.
“We were on the flight and I just started to feel weird.
“I was saying some weird things.
“I kept getting really mad at everything and Harrison said there was something wrong but I didn’t think there was.
“The last thing I remember is being at the hotel and then waking up in the hospital.
“It was really daunting.
“I woke up and I just had loads of nurses staring at me.
“I’m feeling a lot better now - as good as I possibly could do.”
Mark said that he has found it hard to communicate with the doctors due to the language barrier - but he’s grateful that he’s set to be moved from the intensive care unit.
“We were besides ourselves,” he said.
“It makes things a lot harder because he’s in a different country.
“There’s a language barrier.
“He’s had some tests done and we’ve got to wait now for the results.
“He’s not hooked up to any wires now which is really good.
“He’s going to get moved out of ICU and then hopefully discharged in the next couple of days.”
Ellis didn’t take out any insurance before his holiday - and a fundraiser set up by the secretary at Westville, Rob Furniss, has already raised more than £9,000.
Rob said: “We as a club wanted to do something to help with the situation.
“We’ve had people from other football clubs messaging and offering to help as well.
“It’s fantastic.
“The response has been fantastic from the whole local football community.”
There’s hopes that Ellis will be back in time for Westville’s Montagu Cup game against Wombwell Main on Sunday.
Ellis said: “I’d love to be there.
“It’d just be nice to be able to see everyone who’s donated as well.
“I love it so much and it’d be great to get back.”
Mark admitted that he was emotional when he saw the fundraiser had been launched.
“Words can’t express how grateful we are for the generosity people are showing,” he said.
“It was a bit emotional when we saw it.
“We want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has donated.
“I’d like to do something for everyone to say thanks when we’re back in the country.”
