A care home worker has been left in a coma after being beaten to a pulp by a group of thugs in the local park.
Alan Willson, 46, ran from his home in Worthing, West Sussex to nearby Longcroft Park to protect his son, who was being bullied on Easter Sunday.
But when the dad tried to intervene in what was happening he was knocked unconscious while his 11-year-old son was forced to watch.
He had to be taken to hospital by an air ambulance.
His horrified wife Annie, 49, described how her husband is ‘fighting for his life after brain surgery for multiple bleeds on the brain’.
In a post online, she said he is ‘the most kind and gentle man in the world’.
Mr Willson suffered brain bleeds, lung trauma, broken bones and fractures to his spine, and is currently in a coma in Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton.
His family are terrified he may wake up with brain damage, The Sun reports.
His 25-year-old daughter, Becky, wrote on Facebook: ‘I just wish I could just see you dad and tell you its going to be okay.
‘Please dad fight for your f*****g life you are such a strong, caring man who has brought us kids up and loved us like we are your own.
‘You have so much life left to live and a granddaughter who needs to grow up with her nan-dad.
‘I wish I could just hold your hand but unfortunately Covid has decided that for us. You can do this dad.’
Five boys, who cannot be named due to their age, have been arrested for attempted murder and grievous bodily harm with intent.
Four were arrested on Sunday and another on Monday. All five have since been bailed, but remain under ‘strict conditions’ including a ban on meeting each other and curfews.
Detective inspector Simon Dunn, who is leading the investigation for Sussex Police, said: ‘The assault and the build up to it occurred in a public park in daylight, so it was likely that other people would have witnessed the assault or the suspects running from the scene.
‘I am keen to hear from anyone who has information but is yet to come forward.’
Anyone with information can call the police on 101.
Officers are patrolling the area to reassure the community and deter any potential future crime.
A JustGiving fundraiser has been set up by a family friend, Cheryl Edwards, intended to raise £500 to help the family with travel expenses.
But donations have soared to the thousands, reaching more than £13,000 at the time of publication.
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