More than $26,000 has been donated to the seriously injured New Zealander stuck in a Thailand hospital awaiting treatment.
Hawke’s Bay man Sean Kenzie was just hours into a Bangkok holiday when he was knocked off his scooter by a taxi, leaving him with a broken jaw, collapsed lungs, a split liver and neck injuries.
Treatment at Bangkok Hospital was halted when Mr Kenzie’s insurance company refused to pay – despite him having paid for full travel insurance. Mr Kenzie was kicked out of the hospital and taken to another, cheaper, one.
Mr Kenzie is now left with spiralling medical costs, unpaid bills and poor treatement.
Since his story aired on 3 News, money for Mr Kenzie has poured in from all over the country. At the time this story was published the total was $26,800.
Mr Kenzie’s mum Nadine Mouritsen says support for her son has blown her away.
She has already paid $8000 to Bangkok Hospital and as of this morning, had $18,800 in her donations account.
Now, a local renovations company has said they will donate $16,000 from the sale of their next kitchen.
Mercy Renovations owner Steve Petrowski is selling the kitchen, valued at $20,000, for $16,000 – all of which will be donated to Mr Kenzie’s fund.
Mr Petrowski says he can’t stand the thought of the conditions Mr Kenzie is stuck in.
“Sean is in a room with 50 people, there are geckos crawling up the walls, ants everywhere and rats running around,” he said.
The sale of the kitchen is open to anyone in the North Island.
“They will get a new kitchen supplied and fitted, appliances, a new oven, a new hob and range hood, plumbing and electrical and all the installation done with splashbacks too,” Mr Petrowski said.
Ms Mouritsen, who has stage three liver cancer, says she’s been exhausted the last few days but couldn’t possibly feel down at the response from her community.
“I’m coping, the last few days have caught up with me so I’ve had to put myself to bed really - but it’s been so cool so how could I possibly be down.”
Her son won’t be back for at least a month because he needs to be well enough to travel, she said.
Until then, Mr Kenzie has to tolerate the “third-world” hospital he is in.
“The hospital itself is pretty gross. He’s got people bringing him food because he won’t eat their food,” she says.
To contribute towards Sean’s medical bills, you can donate money to this account:
Nadine Mouritsen
ANZ Online Call Account 11-6401-0087968-47
If you are interested in the kitchen, contact Steve Petrowski.
3 News