A father who was given a 20% chance of surviving surgery says he was scared he would never see his daughter grow up.

Glenn Nattrass from Birchington feared for his life during a week-long stay in critical care at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate.

The 48-year-old underwent major surgery over the course of two days to remove a blood clot in the artery that leads to his bowel and spent several days in a coma.

“It was pretty scary, although I didn’t really find out how bad it was until afterwards,” said Mr Nattrass.

“I remember the surgeon saying my chances were very slim and I really thought my time was up and my daughter would grow up without a dad.

“But I got lucky – and if it wasn’t for the wonderful staff in the critical care unit I wouldn’t have made it from there to a ward, let alone to survive and lead a normal life.”

Now, more than a year after the ordeal in October 2021, Mr Nattrass still suffers from nightmares from his time in a coma, but has otherwise fully recovered and is grateful for the medical care he received.

Mr Nattrass was elected chairman of the Westgate United Services Club and has decided to use his year in office to raise money for East Kent Hospitals Charity, supporting the critical care unit at the QEQM.

He plans to hold a range of events, from quiz nights and race nights to a psychic evening and raffles, and has set himself a target of £2,000.

Mr Nattrass says he will be forever grateful for the NHS staff that saved his live.

“It does still keep me awake at night thinking about what might have been, but because of their care I am still here and able to tell my story,” he added.

“Their quick thinking and expertise saved my life, and they made me feel so reassured and cared for.

“I quite literally owe them my life so this is a small way of giving something back and saying thank you.”

Donations to Mr Nattrass’s campaign can be made via his JustGiving page.

The appeal has already raised close to £1,000.