A FORMER Goodwick man stuck in the States when his travel insurance company refused to pay for an urgent operation is out of hospital and making a good recovery.

Silfan Rhys-Jones was diagnosed with a dangerous abdominal condition called mid-gut volvulus during a trip to the States earlier this year.

Silfan is a speaker and trainer for international empowerment charity Balanced View and works in Sweeden, Norway as well as in the UK.

He was born with a bowel condition but a scan in America revealed a second far more serious problem that needed urgent surgery.

Despite three senior surgeons stating that surgery was urgently needed, and that Silfan should not fly home in his condition, his insurance company refused to cover the £188,000 cost of the operation or the £16,000 needed for post op recovery and air fares home.

Silfan’s immediate family and friends clubbed together to lend him the money for this urgent surgery. However, a large amount of this needs to be repaid and Silfan’s good friend Romy Norich started a gofundme page to help repay the loan. All contributions will go straight into Silfan's bank account. So far the appeal at www.gofundme.com/silfan has raised £42, 515.

Earlier this month the former Ysgols Wdig and Bro Gwaun student underwent seven and a half hours of surgery.

Last Monday he was discharged from hospital and is now staying nearby for between four and six weeks.

“He’s a lot better and has started eating,” said Silfan’s father, local author and language teacher Dewi Rhys Jones. “A friend is looking after him as he can’t pick anything up or do anything.

“He’s in good spirits because he can see an end to it. Only two weeks ago we were still trying to raise cash and he had the prospect of a huge operation. He already feels completely different, like it is completely working. It’s a big relief for everyone.”

Dewi thanked everyone who had contributed to the crowd funding campaign.

“Thank you very much,” he said. “It is extremely generous. It means that he has £42,000 to pay people back. It is extremely kind.”