Branson’s flight bid to bring sick Olivia home

VIRGIN boss Sir Richard Branson has offered to fly a critically-ill girl, who is stranded in Mexico, back home to the north-east.

The billionaire businessman stepped in following an emotional appeal by the family of seven-year-old Olivia Downie.

The schoolgirl, who is battling an aggressive form of cancer, flew to Tijuana in Mexico for “last-ditch” specialist treatment earlier this month.

But she responded badly and doctors say she is now too sick to travel home without costly medical support. Parents Lauren and Stephen appealed for help, fearing their daughter could die in Mexico.

They want her to be back home in the north-east where she can be surrounded by loved ones.

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