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Our thoughts are with Mandy Howlett-Farrell and family.

Our thoughts are with Mandy Howlett-Farrell and family.Mandy Howlett-Farrell, one of FC United’s friendliest bar staff, is in a critical but stable condition having suffered an aneurysm to the left side of her brain, whilst on a hen party in Benidorm on Saturday 29th April – Our thoughts are with Mandy and family at this time.



Mandy Howlett-Farrell, one of FC United’s friendliest bar staff, is in a critical but stable condition having suffered an aneurysm to the left side of her brain, whilst on a hen party in Benidorm on Saturday 29th April.

Mandy Howlett-Farrell (48), suddenly fell ill while she was drinking coffee in the bar at Hotel Marina in Benidorm on the morning of Saturday 29th April. She was escorted back to her room but paramedics were called when she started being violently sick. She was rushed into intensive care at the nearby Levante Hospital, where she remains today.

Mandy’s husband Paul (Faz) Farrell, (a former board member at FC United), was watching FC United at Broadhurst Park in Moston when he got a call from Benidorm informing him of his wife’s illness. Daughter, Olivia (19) was also working behind the bar at FC United on the same day. Paul, Olivia and son Kieran (26) caught the next flight to Spain and arrived at the hospital at midnight.

Doctors told the family that Mandy had suffered an aneurysm to the left side of her brain and was in a coma.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Paul said “It was awful. She was in intensive care on a life support machine. We didn’t really know what was going on when we arrived. They were concerned she was going to die.???

Five days after she had been admitted, Mandy started to improve and she has shown signs of life.

Speaking from Benidorm on Tuesday evening, Paul said: “Yesterday when I spoke to her she opened her eyes. We were convinced she could hear us when we spoke. We are trying to rein it in and not get too excited but it’s been a very emotional time, draining and overwhelming.???

Although Mandy has insurance, friends started a JustGiving page as her husband’s small stonemasonry business McGarry Memorials Manchester, where Mandy and their children also work, has effectively ground to a halt and the family has no income.

Its target of £1,000 was quickly reached and now the fund has topped £9,000.

Paul said: “I’ve been absolutely overwhelmed by the response.???

Anyone wishing to donate can do so here.

On behalf of everyone at FC United, our thoughts and prayers are with Mandy, Paul, Olivia and Kieran at this critical time.



First Posted ~ 10:06 Wed 10 May 2017
News ID ~ 7445
Last Updated ~ 16:00 Fri 19 Feb 2021