The family of a man who died after collapsing outside a train station on Christmas Eve have thanked those who gave him a chance to survive.

Anthony Mancini was unconscious and his heart had stopped when a passers-by found him in a phone box outside Ramsgate station at around 11.45am and performed CPR until an ambulance arrived.

The 48-year-old, who had become homeless only weeks before, had been finding shelter at the station after visiting the town for the day.

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Claire Cuddington and Ashley Mancini paid tribute to their "lovely, selfless and fun-loving" brother, who despite living on the streets in his final weeks, was always offering to help out people.

Anthony, a father-of-five, had fallen on hard times after battling with alcoholism for about six years and losing his house, family and job as a train driver.

His siblings hope to find out exactly what happened to their brother and thanked the off-duty policeman and station staff who tried to resuscitate him before the ambulance arrived.

Anthony's brother, Ashley, said: "He would help anyone. Even if he didn't have much money, he would still be offering help.

"The kindness of his heart was amazing even under difficult circumstances.

"Not many people think of others - we're in quite a selfish society - so to be selfless when you're struggling financially in other ways - that's a big person."

Claire said: "We'd like to appeal to the people that helped him, or saw him - people that would've been passing by that morning.

"I cannot thank them enough for even attempting to try and resuscitate my brother and even giving him a chance. At the very worst we got 10 days to spend with him. Most people would die and they're gone and you go and see a body."

"The kindness of his heart was amazing even under difficult circumstances. Even if he didn't have much money, he would still be offering help." Ashley Mancini, Anthony's brother

The father-of-five, a keen motorcyclist who enjoyed fast cars and motor sports, was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Queen Mother Hospital in Margate and spent 10 days in a coma on life support.

His family spent the Christmas and New Year constantly by his bedside and say they are extremely thankful for being able to say goodbye.

"He would be lying there and we were talking to him telling him we loved him and tears would be rolling down his eyes. In a way it was nice because on some level he can hear you," Claire added.

Anthony lived in Chartham, near Canterbury, for more than 20 years while he was working as a train driver. He moved to Dover about a year before his death but was evicted from a bedsit only at the start of December.

He was not a regular drinker growing up but the family believe he had been suffering with mental health issues in recent years.

Anthony grew up living with his parents, two brothers and three sisters in Bexley and Sittingbourne but moved to Chartham, near Canterbury, for more than 20 years while he was working as a train driver and moved to Dover about a year before his death.

He went to Erith School in Bexley before the family moved to Sittingbourne and then qualified as a stone mason until he started working on the railways.

Claire said: "He was always fun-loving and quite immature in lots of ways. He used to love barbecues and was always doing one and barbecues down the beach.

"He was lovely, selfless, genuine and kind. He had a lot of foreign holidays, houses and the cars and unfortunately alcohol took hold and he lost the lot.

"Even in more recent times he was always offering to help anyone and he was homeless.

"He loved family time and adored his children, niece and nephews.

"He was homeless and he still wanted to give to other people, including his own body when it came to it."

The family were shocked when doctors told them he had signed up to be an organ donor seven times during his life but are now amazed at Anthony's final act of kindness.

Claire said: "We had no idea. He did it seven times, the first time in 1996 but consistently over the years and the most recent was May last year.

"I think that's an awareness thing and we were devastated to find out all of a sudden he was an organ donor.

"Now I've come to terms with it, I think he's done something good and his life was over and he saved two other people.

"None of us ever knew so people should talk a lot more about it.

"But now it's made us feel perhaps we would and actually when you are dead why not help someone else."

Claire said they were not sure why her brother had turned to drink but believe there were some struggles with mental health due to work and personal pressures.

They hope there can be more awareness surrounding alcoholism and encourage people to speak out.

"He never used to drink a drop, he couldn't handle a can and would be smashed when we used to go out," Claire added. "From then, it was little by little and he hid it very well but got particularly worse in the last six months.

"I never realised how much of a problem it, it's a massive problem.

"Definitely for him there was a massive shame thing. We found bottles and cans in the shed when we were helping them move house."

The family are also considering getting a memorial bench and say they are interested in supporting charities which help people with mental health and alcohol problems.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or alcoholism you can contact mental health charity Mind which has centres in Maidstone (01622 692383) and Folkestone (01303 250090)

If anyone saw Anthony in the phonebox on the morning of Christmas Eve, the family have asked them to contact the newsdesk on thanetextra@thekmgroup.co.uk or 01843 222777.