A 30-year-old Torfaen man who moved to China in 2019 to work as a teacher has passed away from sepsis in a Shanghai hospital.
Now the family of Martin Cox are aiming to raise £20,000 to pay his hospital bill so his body can be released and flown home to Wales.
Kelly Collins, one of his three sisters, told Cwmbran Life, her brother had been “loving” his life teaching English to primary school children.
She said their family had grown up in and around Pontypool and she now lived in Blaenavon.
She said: “He loved it. They all loved him [his pupils in China]. We’re so proud of him. I’m proud of him.”
Martin, who also has four brothers, attended Aberscychan Comp. He went to a hospital on 18 August after feeling unwell. His symptoms became more serious and he was placed in intensive care and died four days later.
Kelly said: “It’s so dangerous, so many people don’t realise.”
In China, you need healthcare to pay your hospital bills. Kelly said this was a benefit from your job but Martin was between jobs and wasn’t covered.
She said the hospital has agreed to release his body once a payment plan and contract have been agreed to clear the balance of approximately £19,937.
Kelly said that “everyone has been so kind” with donations of over £10,500 being made so far.
A charity, the Repatriation Service Trust (REST), has told the family they will arrange for his body to be brought back to the UK.
Make a donation
Click here to visit the family’s GoFundMe page to make a donation.