A dad who spent 170 days in hospital fighting a flesh-eating disease says he feels he’s got a second chance after returning home despite suffering life-changing injuries.

Keith Jones, from Whitstable, went to his doctor complaining of a high temperature and what he suspected was infected haemorrhoids - but it turned out to be far more serious.

He was sent to the QEQM hospital in Margate by ambulance where medical staff quickly told him the haemorrhoids had developed into necrotising fasciitis – also known as flesh-eating disease - and sepsis and he was rushed in for emergency surgery.

“I was told if I'd left it an hour or two longer I would probably already be dead,” explained Mr Jones.

“I had to have surgery but that's pretty much the last thing I remember before waking up from the coma.

“I had eight surgeries to remove all the flesh from the area down below, and I had mass organ failure and my kidneys, liver, lungs and stomach failed.

“Sepsis was killing me and a ‘do not resuscitate’ order was put in place as there was nothing more to be done.

“The kids were rushed from school to say goodbye to me because they didn't think I was going to make it through the night.

“However by some miracle over the weekend my body started fighting back and I began breathing for myself.”

Necrotising fasciitis is a rare and life-threatening infection that can happen if a wound gets infected.

The NHS says symptoms can develop quickly within hours or over a few days.

Mr Jones was taken to hospital on August 22 and was in a coma for three and a half weeks and missed his 40th birthday before he was eventually woken up.

He spent further time in intensive care recovering and had to have physiotherapy after losing the ability to move his arms and legs.

While he has regained control of most of his body, he has been told it is unlikely he will ever walk again unaided because of the irreversible nerve damage to his feet.

But after months in hospital fighting back, last week Mr Jones was finally well enough to go back to his home in Seasalter, which he shares with his fiancée Lauren and their four children Eiyla, Paige, Francesca and Jake.

The 40-year-old added: “I lost all feeling in my hands, arms, legs, feet. I couldn't eat, I couldn't drink, I couldn't feed myself, I couldn't do anything.

“I can't raise my left arm above my shoulder but I can use my hands and my arms now.

“From my ankles down, my feet are completely gone. I can't wiggle my toes, I can't control them, they're just numb.

“I can't walk around the house, I have a bed in the living room so I can be at home and I can transfer from bed to chair using a frame or crutches.

“I’m adapting and adjusting to my life now.”

To help improve his quality of life, his sister Sarah Jones has started a fundraiser with the hope of raising enough to buy mobility aids such as a wheelchair and a mobility scooter to help him regain independence.

Speaking on JustGiving, Sarah said: “My brother has been through hell and back.

“He has already defied the odds, but we want to give him the tools he needs to keep fighting and rebuild his life.

“We are so grateful for his strength, the love of his family, and his determination to move forward. He truly is a fighter.”

So far £330 out of the £5,000 target has been raised.

Previously a head chef at The Monument Pub in Whitstable, Mr Jones is currently unable to work and has a long road ahead for his recovery.

It is not clear if he will ever be back to his normal self, or be able to work again, but Mr Jones says he is grateful to have a second chance at life.

He is now sharing his story to encourage more people to seek medical help, and not put off going to the doctors if they need help.

He said: “I nearly died and I'm lucky to be here. People don't realise how serious sepsis is.

“I now can't walk far due to it. But I'm alive. And it really has changed my life.

“I feel like a new man and my goal in life is to be the best version of me for everyone.

“To live life and just be happy, as I know, it can be shorter than we planned.

“But I worked hard enough to be allowed home, continuing wound dressing changes and physio from home.

“It's been a long six months, with plenty of lows but I survived, I'm alive and I'm here for my family, my kids for as long as possible.”