A British grandmother with a slew of health issues is still trapped in the US two weeks after falling seriously ill – because she did not want to fork out for travel insurance.

Patricia Bunting, 76, had saved for last two years to accompany her grandson and her two sons to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Her declining health and advanced age meant it was likely to be her last trip to the US – her ‘happy place’ – so she baulked at the prospect of paying between £3,000 and £6,000 for travel cover, owing to pre-existing health conditions.

Widow Ms Bunting, who had always purchased travel insurance for her 20 trips to America in the past, flew out without cover – and contracted Covid at the end of last month.

The Wigan grandmother has been bedridden in hospital ever since, refusing intubation for fear she wouldn’t wake up. Her medical bills are rising by the day.

Her daughter Emma has launched a fundraiser to try to get her home – but has been told putting her onto a commercial flight, with oxygen and medical assistance, will cost upwards of $30,000 (£23,500).

To date, the fundraiser has raised over £14,000 with a single donor contributing £2,000 to the cost.

Ms Bunting saved up for two and a half years to make the trip, having recently been diagnosed with both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and atrial fibrillation (AF), which causes an abnormal and erratic heart rate.

Patricia Bunting, 76, is pictured seriously-ill in Orlando after traveling to Florida on vacation and falling ill. She did not purchase travel insurance and is now on the hook for huge medical bills

Bunting had saved for the last two years to accompany her grandson and her two sons to Walt Disney World in The Sunshine State

She uses three inhalers to ease her breathing difficulties, and had been using a wheelchair and a walker to get around in Florida.

Emma told a local news outlet in Florida that she simply wanted her mother home for Christmas back in Britain, where she can be treated for free on the NHS.

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Speaking with The Tampa Bay Times, she said: ‘She’s scared of passing away in a US hospital far from her family.

‘I want nothing more than to have mum home for Christmas so she’s surrounded by all the love of her family.’ 

Ms Bunting, who has three sons, a daughter, and two grandchildren, spent five days in intensive care at Orlando’s Dr P Phillips Hospital after being found passed out in the bathroom. 

She had complained of exhaustion earlier in the day on November 23 before she was discovered. She is now in a critical care unit after being treated for Covid and pneumonia.

Her sons and grandson had to take their scheduled flight home on November 28 after running out of money. Emma, who did not accompany the family on the trip, flew out to the States on Saturday.

She said the British Embassy in Miami had been unable to help, only asking how they planned to pay the medical bills. The hospital had been able to help with low cost accomodation.

Average healthcare spending per head in the US was $12,555 (£9,800) in 2022, according to analysts.

Emma continued: ‘I feel anxious. I don’t know how much this will cost but I know she need this care.’

Over two weeks on, she still remains in critical care and is requiring constant oxygen while under heavy medication and her medical bills steadily rising

Due to her condition, she is unable to undertake the return flight without medical care and would require a bed, oxygen and assistance in the air

Emma had previously told the Mirror that her mother had been ‘the glue that holds us together’ in the family.

‘She was okay before she travelled, and has always gone abroad with travel insurance – even though she’s never needed it,’ she said.

‘On this occasion, she was quoted between £3,000 and £6,000. My mum is a giver and doesn’t like asking for help. She doesn’t claim benefits, she doesn’t get disability allowance and she’s always given to the state, never taken from it.

‘She’s been with us through thick and thin, since my dad passed away when I was eight. She’s the rock of our family. We just want to help her. And it’s impossible to do that with her in the US.’

The fundraiser has enjoyed a boom in fundraising since Ms Bunting’s story was reported on the Mail last night, with several donations pouring in every hour.

On the GoFundMe page, Emma wrote: ‘Every donation, no matter the size, will make a real difference. If you can’t donate, please help by sharing this page with your network. 

‘We are forever grateful for your kindness, generosity, and prayers. We just want to bring my mum home where she belongs.’