A new fundraiser has been launched with the aim of helping a severely ill Biddulph man to see a worldwide specialist who can help with his disease.

Dad of four Pete Mitchell suffers from a severe form of Lupus and has been in hospital for most of the last 18 months.

So far Pete has received "great" care from the NHS, but they can now only offer limited help due to their limited knowledge of the complex disease.

Bekki Reece, a friend of Pete's wife Kelly, has set up a fundraiser in the hopes of raising £15,000 for Pete to see a world leading specialist in the disease in London.

She said: "I'm trying to raise money for my best friend's husband who has been severely ill in hospital for the last 18 months, having only been home odd week at a time.

"He suffers with systemic Lupus Erythematosus in the most severe form, which is usually found in women not males, and it is trying to shut down all his vital organs.

"The NHS have been great but they don't have enough knowledge of his complex case and no longer know how to help him.

"We have found a worldwide professor in London at a Lupus private centre, who specialises in complex cases, but to get Peter this help it's £15,000 to transfer him there and then £1,125 per night.

"We are desperately trying to get him this help as Pete has four young children and a wife he needs to get home to.

"Pete and Kelly have had a really rough few years having lost three babies, then when they finally got their rainbow baby two months later Pete was struck down by this cruel autoimmune disease and has missed most of his life so far.

"I know this is a big big ask but any help would be greatly appreciated and would be going towards saving a life and getting a daddy back to his babies. Thank you for reading and thank you in advance to anyone who helps."

The fundraiser is currently live on GoFundMe, and if you would like to donate then please click here.