Fundraising efforts enable sick coach to return to the UK

Dubai: A popular sports coach has been flown back to the UK after spending over three months in a coma at a Dubai hospital.

David Nicholson was transferred from the International Modern Hospital in Bur Dubai to a facility in Bath, England, last week following a series of fundraising initiatives that raised over Dh200,000 for his cause.

The 68-year-old suffered a serious heart attack at his home in Al Diyafah last November.

His medical fees spiralled during his two months in hospital but a series of fundraising events, including a fun run at Safa Park, has finally led to him going home.

Susie Kermanshahchi, a close friend of Nicholson's, thanked everyone who helped raise money over the last few months.

She said: "I want to thank everyone who has helped. It's a beautiful testament to David who is loved and respected by all those who have had contact with him. As one mother said to me recently, we will never find another teacher like David."

"The amount of support we have received shows just how much David is liked as well as recognising his contribution to Dubai and the UAE. He is back home safe and we continue to wish him well," she said.

The London-born sports coach spent 14 years working in the UAE and taught thousands of youngsters across the country how to swim and play football.