Simon Wade
A ‘GOOD SAMARITAN’ has offered her Spanish villa to a young Birmingham couple trapped in Alicante following the shock birth of their first child.
Natalie Gallagher from Corwen, North Wales, gave the couple her house in El Campello close to San Juan Hospital where little Scarlett-Rose is still being monitored round the clock.
It comes after Matthew Beach, 27, and Shannon Holbrook, 25, were ‘shunted’ around a series of hotels and apartments by their insurance company as they struggled to remain by their daughter’s side.
“I’d read about their plight online, and thought, ‘Flippin’ heck, perhaps I can do something about this’,” Natalie told the Olive Press from her home in Wales.
“Imagine being in that situation, with a premature baby, and having to do all that travelling?”
The house is now a simple 10-minute bus ride from San Juan Hospital and has a pool, three beds and free WiFi.
Birmingham plumber Matthew previously told the Olive Press he delivered Scarlett-Rose himself after girlfriend Shannon’s waters broke three months early on holiday in Alicante.
The shock birth came just days into their Costa Blanca getaway.
But the couple’s joy turned into panic as little Scarlett-Rose won’t be fit to return to the UK until mid-October.
“After staying at so many different places, and travelling such distances to see our baby in San Juan, this lady’s offer was a Godsend,” Matthew told the Olive Press.
“I want to publicly thank all our friends, family and the anonymous online contributors who’ve helped support us – particularly Natalie Gallagher for the use of her villa.
“Not many people in the world would do such a thing, we’re so grateful – thank you from all three of us.”
Matthew revealed young Scarlett-Rose is now 3lb 5oz – at birth she weighed just 2lb.
He said Scarlett-Rose has had breathing difficulties, but the ‘little fighter’ is learning to cope.
Shannon added she was ‘scared’ when her Scarlett-Rose came into the world just 15 minutes after her waters broke in the hills above Benidorm.
“Luckily for us, Matthew was there to deliver Scarlett, as the ambulance couldn’t find the villa – it was so remote!” she said.
“But now, with the brilliant healthcare here, and Miss Gallagher’s villa, we’re much more comfortable.
“I think Scarlett can sense that.”
If you would like to contribute to a GoFundMe supporting Scarlett-Rose please click here.
