A BRITISH charity CEO who was left blind and paralysed after he was bitten by a toxic snake in India whereas battling Covid-19 has returned to the UK.
Father-of-two Ian Jones was rushed to intensive care after he was attacked by a king cobra within the northwestern metropolis of Jodhpur.
Ian Jones, bitten final month whereas working together with his charity in India, has returned to the UK
Jones stays fully blind and struggling paralysis in his legsCredit score: PA:Press Affiliation
The cobra that bit Jones pictured after the assaultCredit score: PA:Press Affiliation
The 49-year-old, from Ryde, Isle of Wight, returned residence however remains to be unable to stroll or see.
His household mentioned it was an “emotional and difficult time” for him and that he was making an attempt to relaxation and “modify” to his new circumstances.
A fundraiser for married Mr Jones, which had an preliminary aim of £8,000, raised virtually £20,000 to assist pay for medical payments and journey prices.
Mr Jones is a former healthcare employee and the CEO of Sabirian, a charity which offers coaching and help to round 70 craftspeople India with the aim of serving to them to “commerce their approach out of poverty”.
He was bitten final month whereas enjoyable on the charity’s base in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
On the time, he was additionally battling his second bout of coronavirus, having already been contaminated as soon as in March.
An replace posted on the charity’s web site mentioned: “We’re delighted to report that after a protracted and worrying journey residence, Ian is lastly again within the UK together with his household.
“He’s quarantining for the subsequent 14 days and can then hopefully be capable of bear some additional remedy.”
The replace mentioned Mr Jones nonetheless has some paralysis in his legs and stays “fully blind”, and went on to thank all those that had donated to the fundraiser.
“The donations will assist to pay for the medical payments already gathered and the prices of getting Ian again to the UK,” it mentioned.
“The household are very eager to supply an replace and to precise their private thanks as quickly as Ian feels ready to take action.
“Within the meantime, they’ve requested if individuals can bear with them for a bit of bit longer whereas he rests and recuperates.”
Mr Jones’s son, Seb, beforehand mentioned that his father has already battled malaria and dengue fever however was decided to “keep in [India] to assist the those who wanted his help”.
King cobras are native to India and may develop to as much as 4 metres in size.
They’re extremely venomous, notably when agitated, and kill hundreds of individuals within the nation yearly.
Jones seen in hospital in IndiaCredit score: PA:Press Affiliation
Jones’s household thanked everybody who had donated to carry him residence