A DESPERATE family have launched a crowdfunding appeal to pay for life-saving cancer treatment in Istanbul.

Michael Hardisty - known as Bud - was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer which had spread to his liver on November 7 last year. The 53-year-old has been receiving palliative chemotherapy at Airedale Hospital but even with this treatment doctors have given him just nine to 12 months to live.

Now his family and friends, including wife Justine, 46, and sons 13-year-old William and Joshua, 21, of Burley-in-Wharfedale have launched a fundraising appeal in a bid to send Bud for treatment in Istanbul. They need to raise £50,000 as soon as possible and are appealing for the local community to back the campaign.

Justine said: "This is our only hope and we are going to fight all the way. Some very generous people have already donated and if everyone who reads about Bud could give just one or two pounds it would help."

Bud, who is a gardening contractor working across the Wharfe Valley with his company Hardy Landscapes, has just two more cycles on chemotherapy available to him. When he receives his last treatment on the NHS on May 4 he will have to wait another six months for further treatment.

Justine praised the way Bud had been cared for at Airedale but questioned why treatment - which he has responded well to - should be stopped. "Unfortunately Bud does not have time on his side and we think this is too long to go without treatment," she said.

"We have found a treatment centre in Istanbul who have being getting fantastic results with a combination of chemotherapy, oxygen therapy and also thermia treatment. This treatment is also being carried out in other counties such as the USA and Germany. We know of so many people from the UK that have had this treatment in Istanbul with positive outcomes. This could prolong Bud's life for many years. Bud is a fit and healthy 53 years old apart from this nasty cancer who has too much to live for. He has two sons Joshua and William - the youngest being only 13 - too young to lose his dad. We need him to stick around for a lot longer as he is our world, our super hero."

Fundraising events are being planned, including a skydive, a sponsored bike ride, a Three Peaks walk and a curry night at The Moghul in Burley. A race night is planned at Burley Social Club on March 24. Burley Oaks Primary School will also be fundraising and Justine and her friend Lynn Inman are organising an auction fun night at Burley Social Club on April 21. Donations of items to auction would be appreciated.

If you would like to donate the crowdfunding appeal visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/justine-hardisty-3?utm_id=1&utm_term=6Y2AYKpBJ