Mystery donor helps bring Berny home

9:48am Wednesday 6th August 2008

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A DEVOTED daughter has succeeded in getting her seriously ill mum home from Spain - thanks to a mystery donor and the Messenger.

Sale resident Jodie Braithwaite is ecstatic after her mum, Berny, made the journey to Trafford General on Tuesday.

Jodie, aged 29, launched her 'Bring Mum Home' appeal to get Berny to Trafford, where she can be near her and Jodie's brother, Sam.

Berny, 56, has been semi-conscious in Spain - where she lives - since suffering a brain haemorrhage in April last year.

The appeal had raised more than £5,000 when Jodie was stunned to get a call from Prestbury Travel Agency in Hale - who said a client had offered to pay to bring her home.

The man, who wants to remain anonymous, decided to help after reading of Berny's plight in the Messenger. He has donated nearly £8,000 to cover the rest of the cost to bring her back by air ambulance.

Stretford recruitment consultant Jodie said: "We were at the hospital to meet Mum and it was very emotional.

"She had a really good trip back but was very tired."

She recalled her disbelief when she was first told her abouit the mystery donor: "At first I was in a bit of a daze and unable to accept this as reality. It is just amazing.

"I pray that this will help speed up Mum's recovery so I can see her smile, tell her stories and make her laugh.

"I would like to say a big thank you to the Messenger, this donor and everyone who has contributed to help me."

Julie Holme, general manager of Prestbury Travel Group, said "I can't believe it, it is such a generous act."

The company's senior consultant, Sylvia Buckley, arranged Berny's journey home.