A VENTNOR family has thanked everyone involved in a huge effort to get them home from India during the coronavirus crisis — including the County Press and Island MP Bob Seely.

Karen Penn, Ben Sampler and their daughter Mariella had been volunteering long-term in India when coronavirus struck.

Added to the complication, Ben was recovering in hospital following complications after back surgery.

The country went into lockdown, their homeward flight got cancelled and they couldn't find a way of leaving.

Additionally, the school they had been living and volunteering at had to close.

Desperate for help, they put an appeal on Facebook, which was picked up by the County Press, who contacted Mr Seely on their behalf.

Things moved quickly and within hours the MP had been in touch and escalated the family's case to an urgent priority.

Someone from the Isle of Wight saw the County Press article and showed it to a friend in Southsea, who happened to be the daughter of the vice-chairman of the hospital in India, which mobilised additional help.

Within days the family had secured a flight to Germany and on to Heathrow, and they are now back on UK soil, self-isolating close to family, near Heathrow.

Karen said: "We are exhausted but so relieved and grateful to God and the German and British embassies and Bob Seely for their repatriation efforts, the County Press for helping us get help, and the amazing Isle of Wight public for their consistent prayers, efforts and tenacity.

"Also to the amazing Indian hospital staff, to Hebron school and to friends British, Indian, Aussie and German that did everything they could to help — wrote, petitioned, gave advice and moral support.

"The many offers of help from totally random friends of friends across continents is a testament to outstanding human kindness and we are one grateful family.

"We look forward to eventually making it back to the Island after self isolation.

"Let's all keep efforts going until everyone who wants to be home is home. Still many many Brits stranded in India and elsewhere."