TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE

War hero battles for life in Thailand after shock cancer diagnosis

- JOHN DINGWALL

A DESPERATE family are trying to get a war hero back home to Scotland after a shock cancer diagnosis in Thailand.

Alexander Parker, 73, is fighting for hislife in intensive care with suspected lymphoma after taking ill there.

Now his distraught family have begged the UK Foreign Office to step in to help the former Navy man who served with distinction in the Falklands and first Iraq War.

They are in a race against time trying to get funds together to fly him home, saying he will die in a Thai hospital unless he can get home for treatment.

Daughter Jayne Simpson, 47, from Helensburgh, said: “My dad is desperate. He has to return to the UK and see his family and his grandchildren and get the treatment he needs”.

Local MSP Jackie Baillie is backing the family’s bid.

She said: “Time is of the essence and the battle is on to return Alexander to the UK for the treatment he desperately needs.

“I will do everything in my power to support Jayne and her family at this difficult time”.