THE family of a Leigh man who had a stroke while on holiday say they are thrilled he has returned home to the UK.

John Fillingham was being treated in a hospital in Taragona, Spain, after he suffered a serious stroke the day before he was due to fly home from Salou, where he had been on holiday with his two teenage daughters.

His family launched an appeal to raise the £15,000 they needed for an air ambulance to get John, of Plank Lane, home to the UK, and thanks to a kind benefactor he is now recovering at Wigan Infirmary.

His niece Kerry Mahon Coulton said: “He is on his way to getting up and walking. He can move his hands and feet and he is getting back to his old self.

"I think it has really helped that his family and friends are now able to go and visit him. It has made a big difference.”

Even though 51-year-old Mr Fillingham is back in the UK the family still need to raise the money to pay back the anonymous businessman who lent them the funds to fly him home.

They held a fun day at Higher Folds Labour Club and a quiz night on Saturday from 6pm onwards at the same venue.

Family friend 10-year-old Sam Cozens, who attends Leigh St Peter’s CE Primary School, raised £500 by dyeing his hair pink and purple.

To find out more visit the ‘help get John home’ Facebook page.