The family of a former policeman who suffered a massive stroke have launched a fundraiser to help with the cost of his medical care.

Fiji-born Tim Vereivalu, who is also known as Jim, moved to Maidstone from his home country in 1999 to join Kent Police, having previously been an officer in Fiji.

The 55-year-old worked at stations in Gravesend, Dartford and Tonbridge before transferring to the Met Police where he had a successfil stint as an undercover officer investigating the 2007 London bombings.

While living in Maidstone, he was a keen rugby player for both the Aylesford Bulls and MaIdstone RFC.

His niece Miri Ravulo said: “Uncle Tim has always been a very outgoing person and was a hard person not to like. He's the type of person that you'll meet once and never forget.

“Sadly in the early afternoon of Saturday, May 13, Tim experienced a major stroke while alone at his home in Pacific Harbour, Fiji.

“He was found by his sister-in-law who called for help and shortly after he was rushed to hospital in the capital Suva, over 45 minutes away.

“Tim had lost all control of his body and was unconscious.

“Doctors confirmed that he experienced a severe stroke and as a result, there was a major bleed in his brain.

“After several hours of waiting at the hospital for a free operating room and enough staff members, he underwent surgery to remove the excess blood that had collected in his brain.

“The operation was successful, and he is currently in the ICU at the hospital.

“At just 55, he was still fit and strong.

“He has helped in major events across the globe, including acting as a UN Peacekeeper in the Kuwait Gulf War in 1991.”

“More recently he went on to work in private security for Shell in Iraq and his current position is as security with the US Embassy in Fiji.

“To see him like this has left his wife Ana and children Ema and Tim completely devastated.

“The family has been advised by doctors in Fiji that his best option would be to find better care in Australia, where his younger brother Poli lives.

“This would mean a possible medevac, private medical bills and other incurred costs.

“We are rallying together as a family to fund-raise for the costs to cover his medical care, recovery and rehabilitation moving forward.

“As he is still in ICU, we do not know what that may look like and how long it will take, but we are hopeful that we will be able to find enough support to get him the professional care that he needs.”

Although a UK citizen, he returned to Fiji in 2012.

Ms Ravulo added: “It is unfortunate that this happened so far away from the healthcare he could have received in the UK, but we believe that the relationships and friendships he built across the world will help him in this situation.

“Tim has worked his life to give back as much as he can, and his family have always been his motivation. He is someone who walks the walk and is always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone that needs it.

“His children describe him as a free-spirited, carefree, humble and someone that always loves to make everyone laugh.

“Please donate if you can via this link.

“We hope we can all work together to help get Tim the medical support and care that he so desperately needs,” Ms Ravulo added.