A FUNDRAISING drive launched by a Barrhead dad in a bid to bring his seriously-ill daughter home from Thailand is nearing its target.

On Tuesday, the Barrhead News told how James Geddes flew out to the paradise island of Phuket, where 25-year-old Rebekah Fulton has been receiving treatment after being struck down by a mystery bug.

He is desperate to fly his daughter back to Scotland, so she can receive expert treatment closer to home, and set up a GoFundMe page with a fundraising target of £25,000.

READ MORE: Dad's plea to fly home daughter hospitalised in Thailand

Just days later, more than £15,000 has been donated from well-wishers across the globe.

Rebekah, a former pupil at Gleniffer High School, in Paisley, had been travelling around Asia and Australia before settling down on the Thai island of Ko Phi Phi Don, where she holds a non-visitor status visa.

She had complained of an ear infection two weeks ago but the extent of her illness only became clear to James last week when the owner of the hostel where she was staying called him to raise the alarm.

James, 48, who has been keeping a vigil at his daughter's hospital bedside, said: “Rebekah is currently undergoing testing and had a lumbar puncture. I will have results in two or three days.

“She is being treated at the moment and the treatment can be more refined when we know which infection she has.”

James has been overwhelmed with the support he has received since setting up the fundraising page.

He said: “I contacted a company in England about flying her home and they told me it would be a minimum of £20,000 – and that is just for a medical assistant.”

To help get Rebekah home, donate HERE.