Appeal for private flight to bring critically ill British baby home from Hong Kong

A UK charity is urgently seeking a private flight to bring a critically ill British baby, Matthew, from Hong Kong back to his home in Nottinghamshire. Lia's Wings, a UK-registered air ambulance and family support charity, made the appeal on Friday, explaining that Matthew, a nine-month-old from Nottinghamshire, had been visiting relatives in Hong Kong with his mother, Sophia Lee.

Matthew fell ill with influenza A and experienced three cardiac arrests, resulting in oxygen deprivation to his brain for 47 minutes. His brain function was severely compromised, leaving him in critical condition in a Hong Kong hospital.

Matthew's mother sought help from Lia's Wings as a last resort, as his travel insurer refused to cover the cost of his repatriation, and commercial airlines deemed him too high-risk to fly. The hospitalization has left Matthew "incredibly unwell" but in a stable condition. Lia's Wings estimates the cost of an air ambulance to be up to HK$2.1 million (US$267,993), which exceeds their and the family's financial capacity.

The charity's chief operating officer, Charlotte Young, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that Matthew risks becoming a tragedy, being left in Hong Kong without access to necessary help. Young noted that commercial airlines are accustomed to handling adult passengers, but infants present unique challenges. Though commercial airlines initially considered Matthew a fifth of the price of an air ambulance, the option ultimately proved unfeasible.

The charity now seeks a donated private flight from the aviation industry to ensure Matthew's safe return home, where he can receive the medical care he desperately needs.