A WATCH collector has helped raise £5,000 to pay for a life-changing piece of medical equipment.

Matthew Pascoe, 26, from Colchester, was diagnosed with a condition called gastroparesis - a paralysed stomach - in April last year.

It means he is unable to digest food and is in constant pain.

Matt’s only hope of a more comfortable life is to have a £17,000 gastric stimulator fitted but the device is not funded by NHS England.

Donations on his fundraising page are now totalling close to £15,000.

Paul Mallinder, from Norwich, saw Matthew's plight on TV and wanted to help raise funds.

He said: "I'm an admin on six watch collector groups on Facebook, I have made a fair difference with the fundraising through my contacts who have donated watches to auction off, or put into a raffle.

"The sad thing is other countries are funding this stimulator, we are only £2,000 away and it's so near but so far at the same time.

"But the watch groups are like a brotherhood and we look out for each other.

"I just want to put a smile on Matt's face."

Matt's fiancee, Amy Rushworth, has organised a fundraiser which will be held on March 10.

It will take place at the Berechurch Arms in Shrub End Road, Colchester.

There will be a quiz and a raffle, and the event will run from 5pm until 8.30pm.

Visit gofundme.com/ehws5u-life-changing-surgery.