AFANT member Megan Brown suffers stroke in Bali, GoFundMe raises $120k in 21 hours

‘From the bottom of our hearts’: The Darwin community has mobilised at lightning speed to raise more than $120k in just 21 hours to bring home a mum who suffered a stroke overseas.

Megan Brown, a dedicated committee member of the Amateur Fishermen Association of the Northern Territory (AFANT), has been in a Bali hospital since Saturday night after the unexpected medical emergency. Picture: GoFundMe / Sourced.

The Darwin community has mobilised at lightning speed to raise more than $120k in just 21 hours to bring home a local mother who suffered a severe stroke while on holiday in Bali.

As at 9am on March 21, $120k has been donated to the GoFundMe set up for Megan Brown – less than 24 hours after it was launched.

Ms Brown, a dedicated committee member of the Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the Northern Territory (AFANT), has been in a Bali hospital since Saturday night after the unexpected medical emergency.

Her daughter, Maddison Brown, launched a campaign on Thursday, urgently seeking funds to cover the cost of an air ambulance back to Darwin.

“The level of care in Bali is not adequate enough for Mum’s current needs and state,” Ms Brown wrote.

“Her best and only option is coming home to receive critical care.”

Despite having travel insurance, Megan’s family said they could not wait for the insurer’s assessment and needed immediate support to secure medical transport.

Megan Brown, a dedicated committee member of the Amateur Fishermen Association of the Northern Territory (AFANT), has been in a Bali hospital since Saturday night after the unexpected medical emergency. Picture: GoFundMe / Sourced.

The overwhelming response to the fundraiser highlights Megan’s deep ties to the community, with friends and strangers contributing to ensure she gets the care she needs.

“Mum is the kindest person in the world, who has literally given the shirt off her back many times to people … She’s the first person to put her hand up to help,” Ms Brown said.

“She will be absolutely mortified to know that I have created this and I know when she recovers she can have a go at me for it later.”

In an update on the GoFundMe page, which has now been closed, Ms Brown thanked the community for its overwhelming support.

“Heartfelt thanks to every single person who liked and shared our post, donated, or gave back to help bring my mum home,” she wrote.

“We have a plan in place, and we will update you on her arrival home hopefully in the next few days.

“Mum has been so overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, and so are we.

“With so much love and gratitude – thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

Originally published as AFANT member Megan Brown suffers stroke in Bali, GoFundMe raises $120k in 21 hours