A FAMILY have raised more than £230,000 to pay for prosthetic limbs for a mum who lost her legs and hands.

Lydia Galbally, 41, from Rayleigh, spent 11 days in a coma and lost both legs below the knees, her right hand, and fingers from her left hand, after a sudden bout of sepsis spread across her body.

Her husband Dan Galbally set up a fundraising page with an ambitious target of £250,000, to help pay for prosthetic limbs.

This has now raised more than £232,000 for the mum-of-two since it was created in May.

And now bus company Arriva has added £500 to the pot.

Steven Day, an Arriva bus driver from Southend, nominated Lydia for the funding after meeting her uncle, Alan, by chance in a coffee shop at the Southend bus terminus.

After reading Lydia’s story, Steven wanted to do something to help, despite the fact he did not personally know her or her family.

He said: “Lots of bus and taxi drivers regularly meet in the coffee shop, and one day I noticed a poster on the wall telling Lydia’s story.

“The lady who runs the shop, Wendy, had also put a collection pot on the till.

“I was stood waiting for my coffee and got chatting to another man who was also waiting, Alan.

“It turned out that he was actually Lydia’s uncle – and he was able to tell me more about what had happened.”

Steven then submitted Lydia for Arriva’s Community Fund initiative, which allows staff to apply for special funding for a project they feel passionate about.

The company ended up donating £500 to Lydia’s cause.

Steven added: “Lydia’s story really touched me, and even though I didn’t know her, I wondered whether I would be able to nominate her for Arriva’s special funding.

“So I decided to submit the entry and was delighted when I was told it had been successful.

“I’m so pleased - when I went back into the coffee shop and told Wendy what had happened, she burst into tears.

“It really does mean a lot for the community.”

Lydia’s family plan to spend the money on left and right leg prosthetics, a right-hand bionic prosthetic, a left-hand cosmetic prosthetic, private physiotherapy, and home and car adaptations, as well as any necessary ongoing maintenance and upgrades.

Craig Taylor, marketing manager for Arriva, said: “Our community funding initiative is a great way of rewarding those people and organisations that either go the extra mile, or in this case - those that are in the most need.

“Lydia’s story touched all of our hearts, and we are proud to be able to make a contribution which we hope can make a difference. Everyone at Arriva wishes her a speedy and healthy recovery.”

Donate to Lydia’s cause at uk.gofundme.com/f/feet-and-hands-for-lydia.