A crowdfunding appeal set up to help a canal boater who is lucky to be alive after being rescued by a friend from his blazing narrowboat has already raised nearly £6,000.

The online appeal was launched by Laura Darling, of the Bradford on Avon Floatyboat Fund, to help Phil Young get his life back on track.

Mr Young is still in the Royal United Hospital in Bath recovering from burns to his arms and smoke inhalation after his narrowboat Water Reed went up in flames.

He was rescued in the early hours of Sunday morning by his longstanding friend and fellow canal boater David Walker who was moored nearby.

Now the canal boating community in Bradford on Avon has set up the appeal to raise £5,000 to help Mr Young - who lost everything he owned in the blaze that completely destroyed his boat.

Miss Darling said: “It’s every boater's worst nightmare and early on Sunday morning this was the reality for Phil, who woke up with flames around him.

“Thankfully, he and his cat managed to escape with minor injuries.

“We have set up a platform for those who expressed their wish to donate to Phil’s cause to help get his life back on track after this awful incident.”

Mr Young, a former Wiltshire Council social worker, has lived on the Kennet & Avon Canal for the past 21 years, cruising between Bradford on Avon and Devizes.

He is understood to have an ex-wife living in Bristol and a daughter Auria living in New Zealand who is aware of the incident involving her father.

Mr Walker, 58, who lives aboard the Magick Dragon, said: “Phil went to Southmead Hospital yesterday to have his dressings changed but he’s now back in the RUH.

“I went to have a look at his boat yesterday. It’s just full of ash. Everything has gone. It’s been totally destroyed.”

Mr Young helped to launch the Floatyboat Fund charity in 2018 after reconising that some boaters needed help in emergencies.

It is run by the community, for the community to enable liveaboard boaters, and reduce the likelihood of community members reaching crisis point. It does not offer financial help to individuals.

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