The kindness of strangers has helped facilitate the return of a beloved British man who became paralysed after consuming a glass of wine during dinner in Benidorm. 67 year old Robert 'Benidorm Bob' Atkinson was dining with his 64 year old wife Carol in the resort town, just before her scheduled return to the UK, when he was suddenly afflicted with a mysterious illness that caused his legs to give way beneath him.

Now unable to walk, Bob managed to crawl to bed with his partner's assistance. However, upon waking the next morning, he found himself unable to exit the bed or use his legs. The Yorkshire native was rushed to hospital, where neurosurgeons expedited him for emergency spinal surgery. During the operation, medical professionals discovered a spinal tumour and informed Bob that he might never regain the ability to walk.

He has since been in intensive care. Bob's niece, Sophie Rush, shared the details of his plight on GoFundMe, where the family has raised £11,205 of their £15,000 target, reports the Mirror.

When Bob was taken to hospital, his pre-purchased travel insurance led paramedics to transport him to a private facility. According to Bob's sister, the insurer initially agreed to cover the costs but is "now trying everything not to pay" due to the large and unusual nature of the claim.

In a recent update, Bob's sister revealed that he would finally be returning home, albeit by land, as he is "not fit to fly". She expressed: "As you can imagine all the stress of getting him home is very upsetting for him. I am in the UK now and fighting from this side. Carol is struggling with all the difficult navigation needed to get Bob home. Phone calls etc.

"This time should be spent focusing on Bob but she can't as it's been spent trying to raise funds to get him home and dealing with the hospital. She has had to sign the agreement to pay the hospital bill which is now at approx £45000.

"We are so grateful to everyone who has donated and shared the go fund me page so after a substantial private donation to Carol Atkinson from Acorn rugby club in york we have managed to book transport for repatriation. Bob is set to be coming home by land over the next couple of days as he's not fit to fly. We just want him home.

"He is paralysed from the waist down and our last hope is that when he gets back to the UK this may have something to do with the tumour that was discovered during his operation pressing on his spine. Xx thank you to everyone who has been kind to our family at this difficult time xx".