I am afraid that I will die alone in a hospital bed abroad

A MAN with multiple sclerosis has shared his fear that he may die alone after being ‘locked up’ in a hospice.

Philip Curtis, 54, is bedridden and keen to return to his native West Midlands after a worsening illness.

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Well-wishers have already raised £3,000 to help him travel back to Sandwell in the Black Country.

But Mr Curtis said he fears he will be stranded unless he can muster around £20,000 for his transport.

He told the Express: “The British embassy is trying to solve my problem but it’s a slow process full of bureaucracy.

“I don’t have the money to come home either.

“As a result, I’m trapped here.”

Mr. Curtis grew up in Sandwell, Birmingham and moved to the Czech Republic in 1995 with his girlfriend.

In 2002 he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). The incurable disease develops when the immune system mistakenly attacks the brain and nerves.

His relationship fell apart after he lost his job in 2012.

After the excitement, his health began to deteriorate.

“It’s gotten to the point where my right arm has limited mobility and unfortunately I’m left-handed,” he said.

Mr Curtis has spent the last three years in a hospice but says there is not enough money to take proper care of him.

He shares his room with three elderly men and says his mental health is “shattered” after watching “many people die”.

Mr. Curtis’ friends are fighting hard to raise funds for his return and have set up a GoFundMe page.

But the cost of returning Mr Curtis to the UK has increased significantly due to his condition.

The pal who started the fundraiser said: “Phil worked and fell in love with this country.

‘CAUGHT’

“He had a good job and a dream life, then his life started falling apart.

“He lost his job, he was diagnosed with MS… it had a massive impact on Philip’s life.

“His MS was worsening, the country is not equipped for his condition and he is bedridden 24/7 and living in a hospice where he regularly sees residents dying.

“He now has no family or friends and his only communication with the outside world is through his laptop. This is a terrible situation to live in.

“In 12 months his passport expires and he now lies in his bed 24/7 wondering what will happen.

“He has contacted both the Red Cross and the British Embassy and they have agreed to assist him wherever possible. However, this comes at a cost.”