The prime minister of the United Arab Emirates has agreed to pay off medical bills for a former Manchester student who suffered serious injuries after being thrown from a horse in Dubai.
Rebecca Chisholm, 24, who studied at Manchester Metropolitan University, remains in intensive care at Rashid Hospital with a severe brain injury following the accident.
Her medical bills had totalled over £60,000 since the tragedy on May 10 after insurance provided by the school where she had been doing a placement, failed to pay out.
The country's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has now confirmed that he will pay all the bills until Rebecca is discharged from hospital.
A statement on the family's funding page said: "His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has offered singularly the most generous gift we could ever have wished to receive.
"His Highness has offered to pay for all of Becca’s medical costs until she is discharged from Rashid Hospital.
"We will be forever thankful to him and his country."
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Rebecca's mum, Wendy Skelton, had flown to Dubai for her daughter's birthday and was with her at the time of the horrific accident. She has not left her side since.
The 56-year-old told Nottinghamshire Live about the moment tragedy struck - as her daughter's horse reared and bolted, leaving her "clinging onto it for dear life".
She found her daughter, who was 23 at the time,
Her family have commended the 'world class' treatment Rebecca has been provided by the intensive care unit at Rashid Hospital.
They said: "Her condition is improving but her severe brain injury had left her with extreme fatigue after simple activities such as eating or talking, panic attacks and requiring speech therapy.
"Becca is still confined to bed with a fluid drain from her brain still in place and she has not walked since the accident.
"Her rehabilitation in the UK will be lengthy and it is still too soon to say whether she will make a full recovery."
A GoFundMe page has already raised over £65,000 for Rebecca, who previously taught at St Clare’s RC Primary School in Blackley.
Pupils and staff from the school contributed £7,248 after a fundraising walk, wearing t-shirts with the slogan; 'Bring home Bex.'
Rebecca's family have said they will donate any remaining funds to Headway Uk.
"We will still need to pay for the specialised medical flight home and Wendy's additional expenses while she remains in Dubai with Becca," they wrote.
"But this also means that we can ensure Becca has access to the best aftercare when she gets back to the UK.
"We will also honour our commitment and pass on all remaining funds after these costs have been settled to Headway UK.
"Once again, we have to thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum."
Find the GoFundMe campaign here.
