Friends of a “generous and kind” High Wycombe man who has been bed-bound in Thailand for 20 months due to ill health are rallying round to help raise cash to get him safely back home to the UK.

Bill Monger, who grew up in High Wycombe and went to Cressex School but moved to Thailand for a new life after both his parents died, has suffered badly with his health since 2015, when he contracted sepsis and spent six weeks in a coma.

When Bill, who used to work for Sangria Designs in West End Road, was finally released from hospital, partially recovered but weakened, he fell in the street - breaking his elbow, shoulder and hip.

Unable to pay for more hospital bills, he faced recovery from the traumatic injuries alone and without any specialist medical care.

Now living in a support home in Thailand with basic care, February marks Bill’s 20th month of being confined to his bed, unable to communicate with staff due to the language barrier.

Friends back in the UK were told of his plight and they have set about raising the £13,000 needed to get him back home.

High Wycombe resident and friend Jacqui York, who set up a fundraising page so people can donate, said: “He has done so much to help other people when they have been in need over the years that he doesn’t have any money left to help himself. It’s a horrible situation to be in.

“He has a place to go when he gets back to the UK but we just need to get him here. He has been lying in bed for well over a year.

"The £13,000 will pay for in-flight medics to go with him and he will need to be on a stretcher, plus we have to pay for transport to and from the airport.” 

Paul Pixley, another of Bill’s friends, added: “It is unbelievable what he is going through. He can’t speak the language and they can’t understand him and his needs so they are treating him roughly when he is in pain. He said he felt like dying.”

The fundraising page has touched a nerve with sympathetic members of the public and funds have already started to arrive - much to the organisers' delight.

The page says: “Life has thrown Bill a massive curveball, but despite his immense suffering, he won’t be defeated.  Bill is aware of all the recent efforts to help him and is extremely moved and sustained that people care enough to assist.  

“Astonishingly, he remains as resilient and cheerful as ever. He just needs to know that he’s not alone and that there is some glimmer of hope. A little help from his friends will make an enormous difference.”

To donate, go to www.gofundme.com/7k9b3-bring-bill-home.