The desperate family of a larger than life character who suffered a traumatic brain injury while on holiday are raising money for his return to the UK.

Tradesman Stuart Aitken and wife, Nina, were meant to be having the time of their lives last month when they travelled to Majorca to celebrate their first wedding anniversary.

However, on July 14, Mr Aitken, of Trinity Street, Halstead, was hit by a car and he has been in hospital ever since.

Mr Aitken’s family were told initially he may not survive 48 hours.

However, he is recovering and they are now hopeful he will be able to be transferred to a hospital in England within the next month, and are appealing for help to pay for the cost of his repatriation.

So far, well-wishers have donated more than £8,000 in less than 24 hours, but the air ambulance needed to support his journey will not be cheap.

On the fundraising page, Mr Aitken’s family described him as a “fun loving, creative, caring and energetic” person.

They said: “He has a larger than life character - everyone that knows him loves him and people that have met him want to be his friend.

“His friends describe him as someone that would do anything for his friends, family and also for strangers.

“We now hope that people will be able to do the same to help him with repatriation to the UK and for ongoing costs of care, rehabilitation and equipment.

“Stuart has made remarkable progress over the last few weeks which we feel are reflective of his big heart and strength of character, these have played a big part in his recovery and progress so far.”

Straight after the accident, Mr Aitken, 33, who did not have travel insurance, was put into an induced coma and underwent a frontal craniotomy in order to reduce the swelling to his brain.

Although he remains in intensive care in Majorca, his organs are now functioning and he is able to breathe unassisted.

But he has been left with life-changing injuries, the exact nature of which are unknown at this stage, and he will certainly require further treatment in the UK.

His family said: “Stuart is due to have a further operation to put back the part of his skull that was removed either in Majorca or back in the UK.

“We are hoping that Stuart will be able to transfer to a hospital in England within the next month and are trying to raise funds for an air ambulance to support him to make this journey back to be closer to family and friends.”

The family are hoping to raise £35,000 for travel costs and his ongoing rehabilitation.

Mr Aitken has run marathons in the past to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust after losing his nephew Tyler to the deadly disease.

Donate at gofundme.com/get-stuart-back-to-the-uk.