A MUM from Port Glasgow is fighting for her life in a hospital in Greece after falling critically ill while on a family holiday.

Emma Murdoch has experienced problems with her health over recent years and underwent a kidney transplant.

She recently travelled with her partner Bud Green and daughter Ellie, 10, for a family holiday to Turkey but became unwell after her arrival and had serious breathing difficulties.

The 34-year-old was rushed to hospital with a suspected heart attack and then transferred by medivac to Athens for treatment, leaving her partner and daughter behind in Turkey.

She has been placed in an induced coma in Athens Medical Centre to assist with her breathing.

Her mum Alison, also from the Port, has flown out to be by her daughter's side and is now desperately hoping she will recover.

She said: "It has been really traumatic.

“Emma has had ongoing health issues and when she had trouble breathing she was taken to hospital in Turkey.

"If she was to have stayed there I don’t think she would be here.

“It has been respiratory problems that have had a knock-on effect for everything else.

“The care she has received in Athens has been exceptional.

"The staff at the hospital including the liaison have been brilliant at keeping us informed and up to date.

“We all just want her home.

"Ellie was hoping they would be home in time to celebrate her birthday later this month.

"Family have sent voice recordings to play for Emma in the hope they will help.

“We just have to take each day as it comes and hope she improves.”

Alison, 55, was stunned when she got the phone call last Monday to say that her daughter was critically ill overseas.

She said: "I knew I had to get there as quickly as possible.

"I grabbed a suitcase and packed and phoned my son who got me on the 4.20am train down to Manchester to catch a flight to Athens.

“Less than 24 hours after receiving the call I was there."

Emma's partner Bud and Ellie, thanks to the help of a local businessman, are also by her side having travelled to Greece.

While an insurance firm are covering the costs associated with Emma's medical treatment, Alison is struggling to pay for everything she has faced after heading out at such short notice.

She said: “Being so far away from home has been really hard, it is horrible.

"With all the travelling back and forth to the hospital it is costing 10 euros each way and we are up twice a day.

"I am having to pay for a hotel and food and with no idea of timescales I can't book a flight home.

“My whole focus should be on Emma and getting her better but the costs are another thing to worry about which I don’t need.”

Emma’s uncle has now set up an online JustGiving page with the aim of raising £500 to help cover some of the expenses Alison is facing, including accommodation, food and travel.

The page has already surpassed that raising more than £1,000.

Alison said: “We have had so many messages of support and they are really keeping us going.

"You don’t realise how many people have your back until something happens and they step up.

"I am so glad we come from Inverclyde.

"The people wear their heart on their sleeve and are so generous.

“I can’t thank everyone enough for the donations and messages of support.

"We just need to take it a day at a time and hope.”

*To support the online appeal visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/helpemmasfamily