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Emma Hickey collapsed after complications from a mosquito bite (Image: BelfastLive/ GoFundMe)
A mum-of-two is fighting for her life in hospital after she collapsed and hit her head after suffering a severe infection from a mosquito bite. Emma Hickey, from Kilbarrack in Dublin, had travelled with her husband Stephen and their two children to Tenerife to enjoy "a well-deserved family holiday".
However, soon after arriving in the popular holiday hotspot, the dream trip abroad "turned into every family's worst nightmare" when Emma suffered a serious head injury, which has left her in a coma in the hospital. According to Emma's friends, the mum-of-two was bitten by a mosquito, which led to a worsening infection, and caused the Dublin native to collapse and hit her head on a tiled pavement on Sunday.
Emma sustained a serious head injury in the fall and was rushed to the hospital, where it's said she remains in an induced coma. More than £46,000 (54,000 euros) has been raised via a GoFundMe page started to help to support her family.
Mosquito bites can spread disease and become infected (Image: Getty )
The fundraiser was set up by Emma's friend Karen Whelan, who wrote on the GoFundMe page: "Our beautiful Emma is critically ill in Tenerife. What was meant to be a well-deserved family holiday and break from the day-to-day, has turned into every family's worse nightmare.
"Mosquito bites lead to a worsening infection, which caused Emma to collapse and hit her head on the tiled pavement. The fall resulted in a serious head injury and she remains in an induced coma. The medical team have confirmed that her recovery will be long, uncertain, and incredibly challenging.
"We, Emma's family and friends would ask for your help to support Emma's partner Stephen who is self employed, and their kids, as they stay by Emma's side in Tenerife to provide some relief in the day to day expenses so they can focus on the long road of recovery in front of them.
"Anything you can contribute will make a difference. Even sharing the page and keeping Emma in your thoughts will help the family at this time."
Ms Hickey was bitten while on holiday in Tenerife (Image: Getty )
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BelfastLive reports the GoFundMe page has had more than 1,700 donations less than 24 hours after being launched, with Dublin football club Ayrfield United FC, for whom Emma's husband Stephen serves as first team coach, urging locals to support the fundraiser.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Emma Hickey as she endures a very difficult time after a bad fall in Tenerife on Sunday," they wrote in a message shared on social media.
"Emma is the partner of Stephen Brougham, our First Team Coach. Emma's friends have set up a Go Fund Me to help with costs for the family during this difficult time. If anyone is in a position to help Emma, Steo, Sophie and Bobby, please donate via the link below. Any help is greatly appreciated."
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