Islanders are raising funds to bring home a woman who almost died following a freak fall while on holiday in Germany.
Anett Gyenge, 33, suffered life threatening head injuries after slipping on wet cobbled steps outside a church near Stuttgart, on July 19.
She underwent emergency surgery and was placed in an induced coma after having part of her skull removed.
Ms Gyenge, 33, is now making a slow recovery in a specialist hospital – but is stranded in Germany with partner Gergely Barta and fast running out of money.
The funds will be used to cover medical costs and accommodation for Mr Barta and Ms Gyenge’s mother – who also lives in Shetland – and to bring them home.
Speaking from Germany yesterday, Mr Barta, of Lerwick, said his partner was still very weak but making steady progress.
He added: “She is a little better every day. She tries to speak and she also tried walking a little. I can see an improvement daily. It’s very, very good.”
He said his best guess was that she would have to remain in hospital for up to two more months.
Mr Barta, has been by her bedside since the accident, along with Anett’s mother Maria, who also lives in Shetland, and her father Pal.
The family has now spent all their savings and a fundraising campaign has been organised by local supporters.
Since the weekend more than £3,300 have been raised via and internet appeal.
There is uncertainty as to who will have to pay for the significant medical cost as the couple did not have travel insurance but relied on their European Health Insurance Cards.
Ms Gyenge was immediately airlifted to Ludwigsburg Hospital but transferred to Goppingen to begin her recuperation after being brought out of the coma 10 days ago.
She still needs an operation to place an implant over the hole in her skull.
Mr Barta added that trying to be near his partner at this difficult time has not been easy.
With his partner having been moved to a different hospital the family hopes to be able to find a room or a small flat to rent nearby.
“It is not going to be easy. It is so expensive everywhere”, Mr Barta said,
The couple came to Shetland from Hungary in 2013 and now live in Lerwick.
Ms Gyenge works as a waitress and barmaid in the Shetland Hotel while her partner has worked at the Scalloway Meat Company and more recently also at the Thule Bar.
They were on their way to Hungary on holiday and interrupted their journey for a bit of sightseeing in Germany when the accident happened.
A campaign spokeswoman said: “All of their savings have now been used up for the cost of him staying with her at the hospital.
“The Hungarian government will not help them because they have lived in the UK too long and have been paying their taxes here.
“We would like to raise some money just to help Gery stay with Anett and to bring her home to Scotland once she is able to travel.”
More details about the crowdfunding appeal can be found at
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-shetland-hungarian-anett-gyenge#/story