A mum has issued a desperate plea for her missing son to get in touch after her husband became gravely ill.

Matt Green has not been seen since he left the family home in Rock Road, Sittingbourne, in April, 2010.

Then aged 26, he told his parents he was going to Mile End in London for the weekend to see a friend, but never returned.

WATCH: Pauline and Jim Green's heartbreaking plea to find their son

Police were informed and a search of the self-employed roofer’s personal items revealed he had taken his passport, birth certificate, driving licence, bank card, about £1,700 in cash and a card which allows him to work on building sites.

His mobile phone was left behind.

However, to date, his bank account has not been touched and his passport remains unused.

However, to date, his bank account has not been touched and his passport remains unused.

“I don’t want to drag him home, I just need to know that he’s safe, but everyday is a void and torture because I miss him” - Mum Pauline

In the years since, there have been sightings of him by Sittingbourne expats in New Zealand, but none led to a positive identification and his parents Jim and Pauline have refused to give up hope he is alive and well.

Mrs Green has now taken to social media to renew her appeal for her son to get in touch after dad Jim collapsed in his living room two weeks ago and has since undergone heart surgery.

“It was something I didn’t want to do because Jim has not been very well and I hesitated about putting it out but I knew it would get from here to as far as Australia in a matter of minutes,” she said.

“I don’t want to drag him home, I just need to know that he’s safe, but everyday is a void and torture because I miss him.”

Jim, a 63-year-old former firefighter, said he doesn’t know how long he has left and would just like to hear his son’s voice again.

“The way that I’m feeling at the moment and how long I have left in my life, I’d like to think we can locate him before anything drastic happens,” he said.

Mrs Green says she still hasn’t heard anything despite her latest appeal.

She also revealed whilst her husband was in hospital he was approached by a medium who told him their son was living in Benidorm, Spain.

“At this stage you’ll believe anything if it gives you hope and a chance to find him,” said the 62-year-old.

“The last five years has been a continuous struggle.

“People say time is a healer but it's not.”