Stephanie Inglis' father delivers emotional message of thanks for "overwhelming" level of support
STEPHANIE Inglis' father has delivered a heartfelt message of thanks after a fundraising campaign to help her exceeded £150,000.
Robert Inglis posted the message on the gofundme page set up by Stephanie's childhood friend Khalid Gehlan, describing how overwhelmed they had been by the level of support after feeling like they had been all on their own.
Highland Budokan coach Robert also paid tribute to Gehlan, who he hailed as a “truly inspiring young man” for setting up the fundraising site and co-ordinating efforts to help bring his daughter home.
Daviot judo star Stephanie, who won a silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, was critically injured in a motorcycle accident in Vietnam on Tuesday and remains in a coma. However, doctors in the Hanoi hospital where she is being cared for have succeeded in stopping the bleeding on her brain, raising hopes the 27-year-old could be stabilised enough to return to the United Kingdom.
Robert and his wife Alison are at Stephanie's side and yesterday, he delivered this message.
“We have no words left to describe how overwhelmed we are. The generosity and support have left us numb,” he said.
“A huge thank you to this amazing young man and one of Stephanie oldest and dearest friends - Khalid Gehlan you are a star a truly inspiring young man. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
“Stephanie is now receiving much better care thanks for getting this page up and running. Thank you everyone who has donated no words can describe our feelings.
“We thought we were all on our own out here but now we feel surrounded with all the well wishes and support we've been receiving. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Support for the hugely popular Stephanie has been monumental, with donations towards her care exceeding £150,000 in 48 hours. Gehlan set up the page on Thursday to put towards Inglis' medical bills, adding that costs of £2000 per day would have to be met to treat her.
Her sister Stacey choked back the tears in a number of heartbreaking television interviews on Friday, just wanting her sister to come home.
Inglis had been teaching English in the Vietnamese city of Ha Long since January, after taking time out from her judo career. She medalled in the women's 57kg in Glasgow and took part in the Games' baton relay with her father Robert when it came to her home city of Inverness.
To donate to the Steph Inglis fund, please click here.
