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Indie comics editor and writer Jo Heeley hospitalised, fundraiser launched

By John Freeman on November 15, 2023

Comic writer, editor and promoter Jo Heeley (The77, Pandora, This Comic Is Haunted) is in hospital, after she broke her neck in a fall during the Thought Bubble Festival last weekend.

*Jo Heeley (left) is in need of help after a terrible accident*

The77 Publications team are now trying to urgently raise funds to help her after she comes out of hospital and returns home, for what sounds will be, unfortunately, a long recovery.

Jo’s accident occurred on Sunday, after she returned from Thought Bubble to the holiday cottage she had rented, to attend to, and look after her 92-year-old mother. (Jo is not just a comic book writer, editor and social media monkey but the full-time carer for her mother, as well as working full-time, too. Her dedication to looking after others is more than apparent).

Jo had a terrible fall in the holiday home, and is currently hospitalised in Harrogate.

“She has, in essence, broken her neck in a fall,” The77 co publisher Ben Cullis says. “She has fractured the second vertebrae in her neck,,on both sides of it, and has had to have reconstructive plastic surgery on her ear. She also has a bleed in the brain but is rallying around, and has made good progress.

“Unfortunately, while Harrogate is a beautiful place and Jo has had fantastic treatment in hospital, it is just under 300 miles from her home in Dorset! This crowdfunder will look to raise money for any ongoing medical care once she is home and will need aids and adaptations.”

Jo’s friends are looking to raise at least £4000 via GoFundMe to help with Jo’s out of pocket expenses while in hospital, ongoing accommodation costs for her mom, who is still up in Harrogate, and any travel costs that might arise for them both.

Any little help to spread the word about this GoFundMe campaign and donations will be massively appreciated.

• Head here on GoFundMe to help support a fantastic British indie talent

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.