A WOMAN is raising money to pay for her terminally ill father’s end-of-life care.

Friends said that in the past, Michael McCracken, 73, could not walk into any pub in Brighton without someone offering to buy him a beer.

But the former antiques salesman, who owned a shop in Upper North Street, has been diagnosed with lung cancer in Thailand and is unable to fly home.

His daughter Christelle McCracken has launched a fundraiser to “give him the care he needs at the end of his life”.

Christelle said her father now weighs just six stone and his lungs are full of water.

She said: “He is one of the real old characters in Brighton and a lot of people know him.

“He doesn’t have health insurance and is basically out there with no money.

“He had the gift of the gab, I spoke with him today and he can hardly talk.

“He is always telling jokes, the first one on the dance floor, and he has been an entertainer all his life

“I lot of people relied on him for help but he is too proud to ask for help himself.

“That’s why I’ve set this up to see if there’s any type of support people can give.”

Michael is still an avid reader of The Argus despite moving to Thailand about ten years ago and last appeared in the paper in 2004.

He was pledging to sell his house and live under the pier to fund Christelle’s university education.

Michael used to help stuntman The Great Omani fundraise for the needy in the city.

And he would help the needy at St Mary Magdalen’s Church, which was opposite his shop.

Friend Lainey Dickens Goring, who now lives in Spain, said: “If he went into any pub in the city, someone would want to buy him a drink.”

The fundraiser, which has so far raised £1,120, reads: “Sadly, Michael has recently received some devastating news that he has been diagnosed with lung cancer and is now too ill to fly back to the UK.

“He is an amazing friend and father and would do anything for anyone.

“To make this period of time the easiest it can be in the circumstances, funds are needed for hospice care and to give him the care he needs at the end of his life and hospital expenses in a foreign country.

“Even if you aren’t able to donate a share on social media would be greatly appreciated.”

So far, people have donated sums from £30 to £300.

Click here to go to the fundraiser.