A BARRHEAD dad who launched a fundraising drive in a bid to bring his ill daughter home from Thailand has been astonished by people donating more than £20,000.

In just over a week, almost 800 well-wishers from across the globe, including scores from Barrhead, have donated to James Geddes’ GoFundMe page to help fly his daughter, Rebekah Fulton, back to Scotland.

Local businesses have backed Mr Geddes. Chic Boutique is donating two cut and blow drys; Davie the Barber will be giving money raised from haircuts; and bosses at Country Feeds Pet Store are offering support.

READ MORE: Dad's plea to fly home daughter hospitalised in Thailand

Liz Bolger, James’ cousin, has also organised a charity night in the Columba Club.

Mr Geddes told the Barrhead News he has been overwhelmed by the support.

The 48-year-old said: “We’ve had the most help locally. We have obviously had it from all over the world, but certainly from Barrhead, which has been fantastic.”

Barrhead News:

Rebekah, a former pupil at Gleniffer High in Paisley, had been travelling around Asia and was staying on the Thai island of Ko Phi Phi Don.

She had complained of an ear infection, but the extent of her illness only became clear when the owner of the hostel where she was staying called Mr Geddes to raise the alarm.

After undergoing tests, it was found the 25-year-old had contracted a viral infection which had spread to her brain.

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Mr Geddes added: “She has been treated with anti-viral drugs since last Thursday and is responding. It is becoming frustrating as they are celebrating Songkran, which is the Thai New Year, so they’re telling me it will be another two to three days before I get back any further testing.”

“And my problem now is they won’t give me a fitness to fly certificate and there’s nothing I can do. They won’t give me it until they confirm the results.

“Key thing at the moment is to get that. If I can, I can get the ball rolling.”

Paul Masterton, East Renfrewshire’s MP, also got in touch with Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt to ask him to help bring Rebekah home.

Mr Masterton said: “This is a horrible situation. Rebekah is extremely ill and we need to get her back to the UK. I’ve been in touch with Jeremy Hunt asking for him to help.”

If you would like to go to the charity night at the Columba Club on Friday, May 10, contact Liz Bolger on 07815580079 for tickets, priced at £3.

To donate, visit HERE.