A DAD and his fiancée have been left heartbroken after hearing they must raise another £10,000 for a life-changing operation.

Matthew Pascoe 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.

The 27-year-old, from Colchester, has been in and out of hospital and his only hope is to have a gastric stimulator fitted.

Matthew’s fiancee, Amy Rushworth, said the stimulator would help his food artificially move through his stomach into his small bowel, by electrically stimulating his digestive system.

But the operation to fit the stimulator is not funded by NHS England.

They set up a fundraising page to reach the £17,000 needed and were over the moon when they raised the target within two months.

The couple were so excited at the thought Matt would be able to live a normal and pain free life again.

Amy paid tribute to everyone who had supported them saying: “The generosity of everyone has been amazing and they have gone above and beyond for me, Matthew and son, Jayden.

“We cannot thank everyone around the world enough for the kind words of support and donations.”

The procedure was due to take place at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford next month.

However, now the family has suffered another set back as the couple has been told they must raise extra funds.

A disappointed Amy said: “We were told from the start the operation was being paid for by the NHS but we had to pay for the stimulator.

“We have now been told we have to pay for any complications in surgery as Matt is diabetic and also for the cost of his stay in hospital.”

She added the family has been advised to raise another £10,000 to cover the extra costs.

Amy said: “I don’t know what to do any more.”

Matt’s specialist consultant Mr Kadirkamanathan has said he would perform the surgery with Matt being an NHS patient.

A spokesman for Broomfield Hospital said the funding of the operation was an NHS England decision.

Other costs listed on the hospital’s financial report suggest the couple would need to cover the cost of any battery replacement, any disconnection of wires and correction of any displacement.

A spokesperson for NHS England said: “The NHS doesn’t routinely supply gastric stimulators because there isn’t evidence to show how well they work.

“If someone pays privately, the long-standing principle is usually they should also pay for related costs linked to their private care.”

To donate visit www.gofundme.com/ehws5u-life-changing-surgery