Brit, 22, loses his spleen after being brutally knifed in the back during night out in Canada
Family of Barrie-Jon Houghton, from Wigan Gtr Manchester, plead for donations to cover his living costs until he is well enough to fly home
AN EXPAT has lost his spleen after being brutally stabbed during a night out in Canada.
Barrie-Jon Houghton was knifed twice in the back during a fight in Kelowna, a city in British Columbia, in the early hours of June 26.
His family say he sustained critical injuries and needed emergency surgery to remove his spleen as well as eight units of blood.
The 22-year-old, from Wigan, Gtr Manchester was in the first year of a two-year work and travel programme in the country when he was attacked while out with friends.
Despite now being out of hospital and recovering, Barrie-Jon has been told by doctors that he cannot work for six to eight weeks due to his injuries, and is unable to fly home for 12 weeks.
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It means he has no way of earning money to pay his medical bills, as well or for rent and food.
His aunt Sharon Pickard says that her nephew is not entitled to any financial support from the government because of his visa, and his travel insurance will not pay the cost of living expenses until after his flight home – almost three months away.
His travel insurance was due to run out when he returned home for a visit later this month, and a renewal will be costly due to his injuries and regular hospital appointments.
The family have now launched a fundraising campaign to cover Barrie-John’s costs.
So far it has raised more than £1,000 – but more is needed and his loved ones are now appealing for donations to help them reach their £5,000 target.
Sharon wrote on the page: “Despite being responsible in having travel insurance in place before travelling, it will expire when he was due to return to the UK in a couple of weeks and a renewal to the policy would exclude anything relating to this injury.
“Barrie lost his glasses during the assault and can’t see or read without them, he is unable to pay for medications, rent, utilities, his car repair bill which he needs to attend medical appointments or food as a result of being unable to work due to this assault.
“I am asking his family/friends or others to help support his recovery by donating what they are able to. Thank you on behalf of Barrie.”
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