A FAMILY has launched a desperate appeal to get their mum home after she suffered a cardiac arrest on holiday.

Kerstie Metcalf, a 51-year-old from Benfleet, was on holiday in Hungary when she suffered a severe cardiac arrest.

After being resuscitated, Kerstie was placed in a coma but due to a lack of oxygen to her body caused by the cardiac arrest, she has suffered brain damage.

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Her family have launched an appeal to get their mum, who is also an NHS nurse, brought home to a hospital in the UK.

More than £12,000 has been raised in under 48 hours.

Her son, Sam Metcalf, 28, said: “She collapsed at a musical performance her partner was in, in Hungary and suffered a cardiac arrest.

“Complications from this has resulted in damage to her cerebral cortex which it has been determined has caused brain damage. Currently she is still in a coma-like state.

“The hospital is now writing to the UK to try and have Kerstie flown home, but thus far we have not been able to find any help or support on this apart from the generosity of family, friends, and strangers.  

“The GoFundMe has been set up firstly to pay to get her flown home, and to cover the medical costs. As well as then any support she will need during her rehabilitation.

“We are devastated. We just want her home and safe, surrounded by all of us that love her.”

Kerstie has been a wound specialist tissue viability nurse for 30 years, working across all south Essex hospitals.

She is registered disabled and found any kind of insurance “extremely” difficult to obtain, and therefore didn’t have private medical insurance.

Kerstie is a mum of two to Sam, 28, and Bella, 18. Her partner Akos Hasznos, 43, has not left her side in the hospital in Hungary since her cardiac arrest.

Sam added: “She really is an incredible mum and woman. Despite being disabled herself, she has continued to be a nurse and dedicated 30 years of her life helping other people’s loved ones.

“Someone who has dedicated their life to helping this country now needs and deserves our help to get well and get home.

“With her being so far away, it is just heartbreaking for all of us. We want our mum home.”

To donate, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/nhs-senior-nurse-needs-our-help-to-get-home