Raising money to support Lu-Elle & Jye

Raising money to support Lu-Elle after her life-changing accident

My daughter Lu-Elle Pickersgill was involved in a severe traumatic accident last Friday whilst on a camping trip to Broadwater’s Camping Site, Aberrgowire, Australia with her boyfriend Jye and their friends Lucy and Raul.

Due to freak weather conditions, a tree uprooted and collapsed and crushed Lu-Elle from head to foot. She unfortunately has suffered a series of multiple life-threatening injuries including a multiple broken pelvis, spinal injuries, internal bleeding, a broken ankle / arm / cheekbone / nose / jaw, a grade III kidney laceration, thorax and abdomen and was put into a sleep induced coma at Ingham Rural Hospital before being airlifted to Townsville University Hospital.

Following a series of meetings with the Heads of Neurology/Orthopaedic and Kidney specialists it was decided that Lu-Elle be transferred to The Royal Women’s Brisbane Hospital who are better equipped to deal with her multiple injuries.

Lu-Elle’s surgery will begin tonight at 10pm UK time / 7am Australia time, this will involve re-building her shattered pelvis before attempting to re-connect her spine back to the pelvic bone. These are all classed as potentially life-changing, and Lu-Elle will require prolonged hospitalisation and ongoing rehabilitation for months to come.

Obviously, we, her immediate family are based in the UK and with Covid restrictions still evident in Australia, it is proving very difficult to get over to Australia to be with her. So, with help from the British Consulate London and the Home Affairs Office in Australia we have just finally received exemption visas in order that we may enter Australia. On the advice of the Hospital ICU Social Worker, it has been decided that only one member of the family, myself should travel to Australia as there are still very strict Quarantine Regulations in place, that need to be taken into account.

To-date, Lu-Elle has had her boyfriend Jye and Jye’s Mum, Janine by her side 24 hours per day since the time of the accident. For this we will always be eternally grateful for their help, love, commitment and dedication that Jye & Janine have shown to Lu-Elle and us, when we, her family in the UK could not be with her at this very distressing time.

At present Jye is unable to work as he is currently residing at Brisbane Hospital so that he can be close to Lu-Elle. Brisbane is 18 hours away from where they live.

This has had a significant impact in financial terms, due to loss of income for both.

As they both now have no income, we have decided it was best to give notice on their rental home in order to save some essential money.

Whilst Lu-Elle has many months to go in hospital, we are trying to plan her return to Tully Heads. This will involve renting new accommodation, at lower ground level with easier access and bathroom facilities that are sufficient for her daily needs and rehabilitation.

Given Lu-Elle’s current condition, we are now acting on behalf of her and Jye and thought we would like to try and ease the pressure and hope that you could all help in supporting my daughter and her partner with any donations to be able to achieve getting Lu-Elle and Jye back to their hometown in the up-coming months. Anything received is greatly appreciated and as a family in both the UK and Australia, we would like to thank everyone for their well-wishes and prayers at this difficult time.

Thank you once again for everything and I will continue to post updates on Lu-Elle & Jye’s long road ahead.