Our family is urgently trying to raise £39,630 to bring our beloved Simon Charlton (Charlie) home to the UK from Greece by air ambulance.

While on holiday in Santorini on 21st April, Simon developed pneumonia and suffered a serious epileptic seizure and became critically unwell. He was transferred to a hospital in Athens, where he was placed into an induced coma. At first, Simon appeared to be making progress. Sadly the pneumonia progressed leaving him in a critical condition resulting in him being placed into another induced coma on 5th May. Simon has since been conscious and had been described as stable, but is now again intubated as of 19th May and back in an induced coma and is not improving as doctors had hoped.

Doctors have advised that Simon now urgently requires a medically supervised air ambulance transfer back to the UK, so he can continue treatment safely closer to home, surrounded by family and the support he needs.

Unfortunately, Simon’s travel insurance has refused to cover the cost of bringing him home due to his previous history of cancer. Simon was diagnosed with a brain tumour in April 2025 and endured many difficult months of chemotherapy and stem cell treatment. Thankfully, the treatment was a complete success, and he was given the all clear in January 2026. The lack of support from the insurance company has placed an additional and devastating strain on our family at an already incredibly difficult time. While we continue to fight this decision, we urgently need to act quickly while Simon is still stable enough to fly safely.

Should we successfully recover any of the costs through our ongoing fight with the insurance company, any funds raised beyond Simon’s medical repatriation and recovery costs will be donated to the Greek charity, Hospices of Hope, who have provided invaluable support to both Simon and Rachel during their time in Athens, as well as to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in recognition of the outstanding care, compassion, and support shown to Simon and our family throughout this journey.

Anyone who knows Simon knows his strength, positivity, and determination. We are determined to do everything we can to bring him safely home to continue his recovery surrounded by the people who love him most. Throughout all of this, his wife Rachel has remained by his side in Athens, waiting every day for updates and hoping for improvement. Simon’s condition continues to fluctuate, and we need to act quickly to bring him home while he is still stable enough to travel.

Unfortunately, the cost of the specialist air ambulance is £39,630, an amount far beyond what our family can manage alone within such a short timeframe. We are asking for any support possible, whether that is a donation or simply sharing this page with others. Every contribution, no matter how small, will help us bring Simon home safely, ease the overwhelming financial pressure on our family, and allow us to be together during this incredibly difficult time.

Simon is a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend who means the world to so many people and has had a huge impact on many lives. Simon is a generous, kind, and inspiring man who deserves to be enjoying his retirement years with his family around him. We just want to bring him home where he belongs.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, generosity, and support