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A British grandfather stranded in Dubai says he faces homelessness within weeks after becoming trapped in a nightmare that has left him unable to work, access a bank account or return home.
Simon Ferguson, 64, originally from Mancot, North Wales, has lived in the UAE for around 20 years but says a series of health problems and financial setbacks have left him unable to escape mounting debts.
The aviation consultant said he is currently staying in a friend's studio apartment in Dubai after being unable to afford the rent on his own home. The temporary accommodation is only available until August 20.
He told the Daily Mail: 'I'm homeless on the 20th. That's what worries me the most. I have no idea where I'm going to go.'
Mr Ferguson said he previously worked with Emirates Airlines before establishing his own company, Aviation Assets Middle East, which specialises in aircraft redelivery, sales and components.
But he said his fortunes changed after suffering a stomach ulcer followed by a pulmonary thrombosis, leaving him unable to work as much as he needed.
He said the situation spiralled after his visa expired, while his passport was seized as part of court proceedings relating to company debts.
Without a passport, he says he cannot obtain a new visa. Without a visa, he cannot obtain a UAE identity card, open a bank account or legally work.
He said: 'I'm just stuck in this loop where I can't actually raise money to pay my debts.'
Mr Ferguson said he currently owes around 900,000 dirhams, equivalent to roughly £250,000, to around 15 creditors.
He said his daughter Megan now receives donations made to a GoFundMe campaign before sending the money via friends in the UAE, who collect it and bring him cash for food.
He added that he has been unable to afford all of the medication he has been prescribed following his health problems.
'It's a choice of being able to eat or being able to access the medication that you need,' he said.
Mr Ferguson said he was hospitalised for around 11 days after suffering the pulmonary thrombosis, which doctors told him was life-threatening.
He said the illness left him with a hospital bill running into tens of thousands of dirhams and wiped out the last of his savings.
The grandfather-of-two said the prolonged uncertainty has also taken a heavy emotional toll.
'There are times when it feels almost impossible and endless that this will not resolve itself,' he said.
'It does feel like I'm trapped.'
He added: 'There are some days when it just overwhelms. I just don't know what the right word for it is. I'm stuck.
'It gets very, very dark.
'I've made promises to my kids I'm not going to do anything stupid… doing something seriously stupid doesn't affect me anymore. It hurts everybody else.'
Mr Ferguson said he fears he will have nowhere to stay if he cannot resolve his situation before next month.
'I think I would go and surrender myself to the police… I can't, I've got nowhere. Sort me out,' he said.
He said the British Consulate had provided advice and directed him towards charities, while the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund had given him £750 to help pay for groceries.
Mr Ferguson said: 'The Consulate's advice was, 'You'll just have to keep on.'
Despite his predicament, he said support from family, friends and strangers had kept him going.
'I just could not thank them enough,' he said.
'I didn't realise how many people care about me.'
The GoFundMe page says donations will help cover his daily medication and essential living costs, while also helping to pay for emergency travel documents and flights back to Britain if he is able to leave the UAE.
Mr Ferguson said he hopes to obtain a new passport, secure a visa through another company and eventually restructure his debts so he can begin working again.
For now, however, his priority remains much simpler.
'I just want to get home,' he said.
The Foreign Office told the Daily Mail: 'We are supporting a British man in the UAE and are in contact with his family.'
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