Man’s 30-year connection with Rhodes sees him return to Greek island to help in relief effort

When a state of emergency was announced on the Greek island of Rhodes last week, following the devastating wildfires, there was only one thing that Barry May could do. He booked a flight and joined the recovery effort.

Mr May, 47, from Wallington, and his family have a, 30-year-long association with Rhodes, home to many friends, whom he regards as family. He married his wife, Joanne, in the holiday paradise 10 years ago.

He said: “I was on the EasyJet flight where the captain advised leisure travellers to re-consider taking the flight on safety grounds.

“However, I knew from speaking to friends in villages within Rhodes, that the fire was contained within one area.

“There were many resorts away from this location that were unaffected and perfectly safe to visit. There were 50 people on the plane but 14 disembarked, leaving 36,” said Mr May.

Upon landing, he joined fire crews in the centre of the island, assisting in the effort to fight fires in the village of Apollona for 12 hours on two occasions.

“The way in which people came together to save their villages was unbelievable. It was an extraordinary experience,” he said.

“Fortunately, no one I was with was injured.”

Mr May echoed the announcement from the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) this week that Rhodes is very much open for business.

There has been much confusion over the safety of travel to Rhodes, but many of the most popular resorts are at least 50km away from wildfire sites.

So many holiday resorts remain safe to visit and the heatwave of last week has subsided to a ‘milder’ 31 C.

If you are travelling to Rhodes check the latest travel advice at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece

Pictured top: Barry May with Panagiotis Antonas, Mayor of Kalithies (Picture: Barry May)