Gold Coast surfer finally home after fight for life in Bali

A Gold Coast surfing identity who was medevaced from Bali to Darwin in a critical condition is back home on the Glitter Strip recovering from his ordeal.

A Gold Coast surfing identity who was medevaced from Bali to Darwin in a critical condition is back home on the Glitter Strip recovering from his ordeal.

Mark Richardson – a former Australian surfing champion, brother-in-law of ex-world champ Joel Parkinson and coach of World Surf League stars – spent 11 days in a Bali hospital fighting for life with chronic internal bleeding after a severe case of “Bali belly”.

He has a rare blood type – A negative – and had to be medevaced out of Indonesia when the Balinese hospital refused to accept emergency supplies from Australia.

He was airlifted to Darwin by LifeFlight late last month and placed under intensive care.

In an update on Friday, his family said he was now home on the Gold Coast with champion surfer son Ty.

Mark Richardson in healthier times left and in a Bali hospital right.

“Richo is now finally home on the Gold Coast with his son and sleeping in his own bed!!,” family friend Fiona Meyer posted on the GoFundMe platform which has raised almost $50,000 to help him get back on his feet.

“He said to me yesterday that this is the beginning of his new life.

“The support for him shown through

the GoFundMe page has given him so much strength. The donations (alleviate) an enormous amount of stress, but the act of donating shows how much love and compassion you have, and that has been the emotional support and positivity he has needed.”

In a heartfelt post before returning to the Gold Coast, Richardson said he was “absolutely overwhelmed” at the support which had “brought tears to my eyes”.

“From old friends to old work colleagues right through to parents of old mates and former high school friends as well as old footy mates and some of my coaching clients, I am so blown away by all the support,” he wrote.

Mark Richardson is finally home after a medical ordeal in Bali.

“From the bottom of my heart I want to personally thank every single one of you.

“This has been a life changing journey for me and one of the most horrible ordeals I would not wish on anyone.

“From being unbelievably sick in a Bali hospital with no access to my blood type, I had so many people attempt to give me blood which I am eternally grateful for.”

Richardson said he would have ongoing health issues to deal with and was unsure when he would coach again.

“The donations will go along way to helping me get back on my feet and with the ongoing medical costs involved with my rehabilitation. I can’t thank you all enough for your generosity,” he wrote.

“This has been a very humbling experience for me and even though it has been absolutely terrifying and so painful I truly believe I am meant to learn some things from the experience.

“Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”

Originally published as Gold Coast surfer finally home after fight for life in Bali