Family of man with months to live need to raise £50,000 to fly him home from South Korea

Craig Peach, 38, from Skipton, an English teacher who has spent the last few years living and working in South Korea with his fiancée, Misun Lee, was given the all-clear from skin cancer at Easter, but shortly afterwards was found to have multiple brain tumours.

The hospital near to where he lives in Seoul has now said there is nothing more it can do for him and has told his family back in Skipton he has just two to three months left to live.

His extended family, including his mum, Diane Peach, who has stayed on in South Korea after going out on a visit just before he was diagnosed with brain tumours, is desperate for Craig to come home so he can be with them for his last weeks. But, they have been told the cost of the 18 hour flight, with all the additional medical support and equipment he will need for the flight, will cost in the region of £50,000.

But, already, since Friday, a crowdfunding page set up by Craig's sister, Abbie, has raised more than £33,400.

Abbie said Craig, who attended Greatwood School and Ermysted's Grammar School, Skipton, before moving onto Durham University, fell in love with South Korea after visiting the country as part of the Erasmus Programme.

He moved to the country several years ago, met his fiancee and has been teaching English at a primary school. He had been battling skin cancer for some time, but had been given the all-clear just weeks ago, at Easter.

Abbie said: "He recently had a seizure and the doctors found multiple tumours in his brain. After ongoing treatment and surgeries, the tumours are continuing to grow rapidly and we have recently found out that Craig only has two to three months left to live.

"The past month has been a rollercoaster of a journey, one moment Craig seemed to be getting better and the treatment working, the next he cannot move or speak.

"The hospital is now discharging him and they have prepared us for end of life. There are limited options in Korea as to where Craig can go next and most do not speak English or allow any visitors, not to mention the price.

"We desperately need to get Craig home to the UK so he has a place to be comfortable, with family by his side - Craig's biggest wish is to be back home."

Although Craig does have medical insurance which covers him for hospital treatment, it does not include the cost of getting him home.

Abbie said: "Due to complications in flying with Craig's condition and needing certified medical staff and equipment, the flight prices are extortionate and are not covered by Craig's medical insurance. We know that with all of the love and support from our friends and family, together we can make this journey possible.

"Craig has always been the bravest and most selfless person I know. Life is so cruel sometimes to end a life so soon when he has so much more to give. Craig is the last person who would want this kind of funding, but unfortunately, we have been left with no other choice."

She added: "We realise this is a huge target and times are tough financially for most at the moment, but please if anyone can make any donation, however big or small, it will all help to get Craig on a flight home; we would all be eternally grateful."

Abbie said she was overwhelmed with the generosity of people in such a short time.

"It's just been incredible how generous people have been," she said.

Donations to get Craig home can be made at: https://gofund.me/2e2579c0