A WANTAGE woman is trying to raise £20,000 to save her brother’s sight.

Theresa Hillsdon is originally from the Philippines, where her brother Eduardo Clarite Jr, lives.

He works as a policeman, supporting his wife Rowena and their 10-month-old daughter Princess.

At the end of May he had a crash on his motorbike, suffering severe head injuries which left him in a coma, as he turned 33.

Eduardo’s doctor has told the family he will lose his sight if he does not have an operation which costs 1.5m Philippine Pesos – about £20,000.

In the Philippines, like America, health care is not free, and Mrs Hillsdon’s parents have already spent their £15,000 life savings just keeping their son alive in hospital.

The 28-year-old, who trained as a nurse in the Philippines, said: “It is heartbreaking for me to see him in this situation.

“It is the first time any of the family has been in hospital, and I am longing to hold him but instead of paying for the flight I am sending all my money.

“If he doesn’t get the operation he will lose his sight. The doctor has said it needs to be as early as possible.”

Wantage parish church has backed Mrs Hillsdon’s appeal, and will hold a special collection for her tomorrow morning.

Oxford Mail:

  • Injured: Eduardo Clarite Jr

Father John Salter said: “As a fellow motorcyclist I was particularly saddened to hear Eduardo had been involved in such a serious accident, and we have kept him in our prayers each day.

“We are so blessed in this country to have the National Health Service, it is easy to forget about the difficulties of getting medical care in other countries.”

Mrs Hillson moved to the UK in 2009 and met her husband Ian, a technician at BMW North Oxford, in 2010.

They moved to St Mary’s, Wantage, and Mrs Hillsdon worked at Richmond care village in Letcombe Regis until having their daughter Jasmine in December.

Donate online at crowdfunding.justgiving.com/matheresa-claritehillsdon or email Mrs Hillsdon on mtclarite@yahoo.com.ph