THOUSANDS of pounds has rolled in for an ex-Kidderminster police officer after an appeal to help save his life.

Bob Anthony has been left paralysed and on a ventilater in Thailand after a motorbike crash and he needs £50,000 for the flight back to England for specialist treatment if he is ever to walk again.

So far, the community he served and protected with the West Mercia Police service for 20 years has helped raise more than £8,000, with the total still growing day by day.

But, daughter Nadine Anthony said the longer it takes to raise the money, the more irreversible the damage is.

"At the moment with my dad's care there's no change," she said. "Over there it's the same when he first went into hospital - they just don't have the facilities he needs to get better.

"The longer he is there, the less likely he'll make a full recovery.

"His spinal cord is 'savaged'. It's been quite badly affected, and obviously the money we've raised so far is really good in the time we've raised it in, but we still really need a lot of help from the people out there."

Mr Anthony is now awake but continually slips between consciousness and cannot yet be taken off a ventilater despite effort from the Thai doctors. The inability to move is also causing bed sores which Mr Anthony's wife is bathing and dressing daily.

"It's very limited care over there, " Ms Anthony added. "They are caring for my dad but not how we could over here."

The fundraising effort in Kidderminser has so far seen a darts competition raise £800 towards the total and hundreds of people donate online and in person.

Businesses are also offering their services with The Big Print Shop, in Kidderminster, donating posters which will be put up in shop windows throughout the town. Other stores, such as Starbucks, have collection buckets.

Ms Anthony thanked the community for their help and believes with their help her father will be home in he new year.

"We are hopeful that he will be coming home, but time is of the essence to get him home," Ms Anthony said.

To give to the cause, visit justgiving.com/Andy-Norris1, or call Nadine Anthony 07863 441393. A Facebook group called 'Fundraising to help get my dad home for the medical treatment he needs xxx' was set up and has up-to-date information on Mr Anthony's condition, the fundraising total, and any news about upcoming events.