A WOMAN paralysed in a horse riding accident in Egypt is to arrive home tomorrow (Monday, May 2) night after her family and the region's public raised more than £32,000.

Olivia Fairclough, 31, of Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, did not have valid travel insurance, leaving her stranded 2,500 miles from home,

Her brother Trevor Fairclough told of his family's gratitude.

"The way we were brought up, it's almost embarrassing to ask for help," he said. "But we felt so alone, we had no choice. The response has restored our faith in humanity. To say 'thank you' is not enough."

Final preparations are underway to fly Olivia back to the region tomorrow (Monday) night after friends contacted the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

The Darlington-based charity provides emergency care across the North-East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria and is coordinating Oliva's repatriation.

Andy Mawson, aircrew paramedic at GNAAS, approached Capital Air Ambulance, which provides worldwide air ambulance services from its Exeter base.

The firm will fly its new specially equipped Learjet 45 to Cairo to pick up Olivia, before returning her to Durham Tees Valley Airport tomorrow (Monday) evening.

North East Ambulance Service has offered a vehicle and paramedic to then transport her from the airport to James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough.

Consultants from the hospital have been working behind the scenes to advise Olivia's family and prepare for her arrival and ongoing treatment.

Mr Mawson said: "Like everyone else, we just want to get Olivia home. We have all pulled together to make this happen. Our priority is to get this over the line to ensure Olivia gets the care she needs, surrounded by those she loves.""

Lisa Humphries, of Capital Air Ambulance, said: "We just wanted to help the family. We knew money was an issue and we did everything we could to make it possible."

Mr Fairclough wished to thank everyone who had donated to the cause and to all those who had offered their support.

Ms Fairclough is an experienced horse rider and was working at an Egyptian stables when she fell from a horse.

Her brother flew out to the country and set up an online fund-raising page which raised £32,000 in just nine days. Most of the money will be spent on the air ambulance but £4,000 will go on paying for her operation on her broken back and some other money will be used for medical bills.