EastEnders star Jake Wood has made a heartfelt public appeal for support after a beloved member of the soap's crew suffered a horrific accident while abroad over the Christmas period.
A Terrifying Fall and a Fight for Survival
Connor, a popular electrician who works on the set of the BBC One drama, fell 11 storeys from a roof while in Colombia. The incident left him in a coma for nine days and he required multiple life-saving operations. His mother, Denise, who flew out to be at his bedside, has described his survival as nothing short of a "miracle".
The family is now facing a urgent financial challenge to cover substantial medical costs and the complex process of bringing Connor back to the UK. They are aiming to raise £26,000 to manage these expenses.
Soap Stars Rally with Generous Donations
Jake Wood, who plays Max Branning, shared the link to a dedicated GoFundMe page on his Instagram Stories on Tuesday 6th January. In his message, he wrote that Connor is a "top man and respected by everyone" at the studios and asked followers to help if they could.
His call to action prompted an immediate and generous response from the tight-knit EastEnders cast. Notable donations listed on the fundraiser include:
- Scott Maslen (Jack Branning): £300
- Jake Wood and Jacqueline Jossa (Lauren Branning): £200 each
- Jessie Wallace (Kat Slater), Gillian Wright (Jean Slater), Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale) and several others: £100 each
The collective effort has seen the total soar, with the page having amassed £23,200 at the time of writing, closing in on its £26,000 target.
Hopeful Signs in a Long Recovery
An update on the GoFundMe page, posted by organiser Victoria Dean on 2nd January, provided a cautiously optimistic medical bulletin. It confirmed that after nine days in a coma, Connor is now off mechanical ventilation and breathing with minimal support.
He remains in intensive care under light sedation but is aware of his mother's presence and is responding to her. A planned surgery was delayed, with hopes it will be rescheduled for the following week.
The update expressed profound gratitude for the public's support, stating it "really means the world to all of us." The page notes that it is unclear if or when any insurance payout might be processed, underscoring the critical need for the fundraiser.
