The family of a pensioner who incredibly survived in woodland for four days are raising money for the search team who brought him to safety.

Dennis Whyard, 89, was found in woodland near Maplesden Noakes School days after going missing from the Forest Hill area of Tovil on Friday, June 1.

Now his son Mick is organising a fundraising event to reunite his father with the team from Kent Search and Rescue (KSAR), including springer spaniel Sprocket.

Mr Whyard said: “Dad doesn’t remember any of it, but it will be great for the search teams to meet him.

“We’ve been speaking with Tovil YMCA and it has agreed to give us the hall for free, we’re going to put on face painting, hopefully we can get some donations and have a raffle.”

KSAR knocked on doors and worked with police officers and fire crews before making the miraculous discovery last Tuesday.

More than 180 people gave up more than 3,000 hours to assist, with police launching a helicopter over Tovil and rescue boats deployed on the River Medway.

The great grandfather, who turns 90 next month, remains in hospital, but his family remain optimistic he will be out in time for the event earmarked for mid-July.

Son Mick, from Walderslade, said: “We’re looking to get him in a care home, because if he goes back he’ll just go walkabout.

“The sad thing is he doesn’t know who I am, but he’s happy, he gets to meet new people everyday.”

The Whyard family has set a target of £500 for KSAR, with the fundraising page saying how overwhelmed they were with the public support. The family hopes to secure awareness about the KSAR charity, money for new equipment and a T-bone for Sprocket. See tinyurl.com/denniswhyard