Donna Proudfoot was enjoying a long weekend in Benidorm to celebrate her 50th birthday with her husband and other family members earlier this month when, without any explanation, she fell ill in the night.

The mother-of-three was rushed to the nearby hospital where she remained in a coma until last night when she lost her fight for life.

Her husband John Proudfoot is by her bedside, having been generously provided with accommodation by a family friend.

Her three sons Jonathan Hubery, Michael Hubery and Dylan Curtis have had to travel backwards and forwards from the UK to be by her bedside.

Her treatment was being covered by her European Health Insurance Card but to help the family with travel costs there are various fundraising events taking place in her home village of West Auckland, County Durham, and the family are planning a walk at the weekend to raise much-needed cash.

The Northern Echo understands that fundraisers now plan to use any money that has been donated to have Mrs Proudfoot repatriated and to support the family.

Speaking before Mrs Proudfoot died, family member Kirsty Harker said they were all devastated by what had happened but were incredibly grateful to the community for the support.

“We are overwhelmed by what has been done for us,” she said. “We can’t thank people enough. We have had massive support from the community.

“We are devastated by what has happened. She was only out there for a long weekend for her 50th birthday and fell ill through the night. We don’t know why it has happened.

"She is in a coma with a bleed on her brain and we can’t get her back until she is stable enough to fly home and we don’t know when that will be.

“Donna is a family woman and she does loads in the community. She is very well-known. Christmas is her favourite time of year, she loves it and would plan Christmas parties for the kids. We don’t know what is going to happen at the moment.”

She added: “We are holding the walk to raise money for flights. Other people are holding fundraising events and we have already used some of the money. We don’t know how much we will need. Her sons can’t stay out there all the time.

“She has health insurance at the moment but that will only last 11 weeks so we might need to fundraise to pay for treatment in the future.”

• The walk will start at Bishop Auckland Market Place at 1pm on Saturday, November 25 and will finish at West Auckland Workingmen’s Club. Family, including her grandchildren, and friends will be dressed in Christmas costumes. All are welcome.

TRIBUTES TO DONNA

Susan Meads

"We are all devastated. You will be greatly missed Donna. You’re a wonderful woman and cousin. RIP The Meads family 🙏💕🙏xxx"

Lee Wilthew 

Sorry to hear this sad news! Thoughts are with all the family at this sad time, r.i.p Donna x

Nicola Mcaskill

Rip my dear friend until we meet again 💔💔💔

Sian Benson

You will be missed by so many Donna you were a fighter until the end but the angels needed you for something else.  Rest in Paradise,  love the Benson/Jackson family 😇❤️😇❤️

Deborah Yorke

Will be always in their thoughts, her grandchildren Kara and Anneliese