£20,000 fund-raiser launched after Beccles women Lily Ellard and Isabelle Birch involved in serious crash in Thailand

A woman is pleading with her community for support after her sister and a friend were injured in a serious collision whilst travelling in Thailand.

Lily Ellard and Isabelle Birch – known as Izzy – both 19 and from Beccles, were involved in a road accident in Chiang Mai on Tuesday.

Lily suffered multiple leg and face fractures and spent time in intensive care, while Izzy was also injured, but has since been discharged and is preparing to head home.

While Thailand does have socialised healthcare, foreign visitors cannot benefit, and so the pair will need to pay for medical expenses.

In response, Lily’s sister, Naomi Ellard, alongside both women’s families, have set up a GoFundMe. It raised more than half of its £10,000 goal within 24 hours, and has since been increased to £20,000.

Naomi stated that, despite the severity of the crash, both Lily and Izzy were okay – and both families wanted them to recover without having to worry financially.

She said: “Lily’s injuries have been repaired enough that we hope she will be discharged in a week or so, so she can fly home and undergo more surgery in the UK, and Izzy is also doing well.”

Lily was discharged from intensive care, and has since been transferred to a ward.

Naomi said: “Lily’s dad, David Ellard, has flown out to be with her during this traumatic period.

“He has been permitted to be by her bedside 24/7 to help with her needs during care.

“Thankfully, the hospital are happy with her recovery and she is stable enough to be discharged onto a ward for ongoing care.

“Lily has a long road ahead but at this time she remains stable. We want to see both girls back on their feet as soon as possible.

“We are so very grateful to the staff at the hospital, their continued care has been remarkable.”

When she returns to the UK, Lily will require further medical care.

‘Thankfully’, Naomi said, both her parents have medical training and work for the East of England Ambulance Service.

Naomi said she could not comment on Izzy’s situation further as it was personal to her and her family.

Both Lily and Izzy work at the Two Magpies Bakery in Beccles.

Yasmin Wyatt, the operations director of the bakery, described the pair as ‘wonderful’ members of the team – fundamental to the success of its opening in the town.

Yasmin said: “We were so glad to hear of there travel plans together and wished them all well.

“They are very close to us and when we made aware of the terrible accident they were in only hours after it happening we’ve tried to remain in touch daily to ensure they are okay.

“We asked if they were not feeling too scared and that if they needed anything at all – advice, support, reassurance – that we were there.

“We are glad to hear Lily is doing okay under the circumstances and that Izzy is now preparing to make her way home.”

The company has shared the fund-raiser across its business to help support the pair.

If you wish to support Lily and Izzy, you can donate to the GoFundMe here.

It has raised more than £6,000.