A FUNDRAISER has been launched for a Wrexham man who is waiting on a life-saving liver transplant. 

Ben Belton, aged 37, has cystic fibrosis - having been diagnosed with it aged four. The condition is a progressive disease that causes cells to produce a thick and sticky mucus. This results in complications in multiple organs, such as the lungs and liver. 

In Ben's case, it has caused severe liver damage and failure in the form of cirrhosis. Around a month and a half ago, Ben, originally from Borras and now living in Chester, was rushed to the Countess of Chester Hospital. He suffered a seizure on the ward and was placed in a medically induced coma - spending two weeks on the intensive care unit. 

Ben, who lives with his partner Rachel Aratoon and their nine-year-old daughter Neeve, has been told he needs a life-saving liver transplant. 

"I've been told that I am being referred as an urgent patient to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham - which is the best in the country for major organ transplants," he said.

"In the meantime, I am being sent home. I'm not good on my feet at all the moment, and will need a mobility scooter to get around. This will allow me to walk my cockapoo, Rory, and pick Neeve up from school."

RECOMMENDED READING: 

Christine Ellis, a family friend and former neighbour, has launched a GoFundMe page to raise funds for Ben to buy a scooter. It has so far raised just shy of £900 of its £1,000 target. It can be found at https://bit.ly/4cPg01w.

Ben, who has worked at the Venture play park in Caia Park before being medically retired, said: "I am so very humbled and touched by it, it's really made me emotional.

"It means the world what people are doing for me - I can't thank them enough."

He added: "I'm hopeful I get the transplant soon, it's going to be a major operation but I'm confident I'll get through it. I have been through worse."