Distraught bothers trying to raise the money to get to their sick father’s bedside have been that he has now had a stroke.

Ian Nightingale, also known as Max, suffered a severe heart attack in Seattle in the United States where he now lives.

Friends of Mr Nightingale, who was a popular musician on the Whitehaven scene, have rallied around to raise the £10,000 that Jon, 21, and twins Ian and Luke, 18, all from Moresby, would need to fly to Seattle and find a place to stay close to the hospital.

Since the heart attack Mr Nightingale’s sons have faced a worrying wait after being told their father had only a 50 per cent chance of recovering from the heart attack which happened when he was driving a recovery vehicle at work.

Jon Nightingale said they have now been told that, on top of a life-threatening heart attack, their father has also had a stroke.

“He is making progress from the heart attack and still has his humour. He is out of ICU but now he has had this stroke and will eventually be transferred to a rehabilitation unit. We really need to get to him.”

Jon said he and his brothers are extremely grateful for the help they have been given so far and thanked everyone involved.

Fellow musician and friend Scott Kinsella set up a crowdfunding website which has raised £1,900 towards the cost of the boys’ reunion with their father.

It is hope that will be boosted considerably on Friday night when more musician friends gather together for a charity evening at the Moresby Rugby Club.

It has been arranged by Julianne Kelly and Steve Byrnes, both of whom have performed with Mr Nightingale in the past.

Julianne said: “We have a lot of entertainers coming who knew Ian.

“We are asking people for donations of raffle prizes and there will also be a chance to donate towards the fares on the night.

" We need to get these boys to their father. They are just young lads and need our help,"

The fundraiser will be held at the Moresby Rugby Union Club starting at 7pm. Tickets are £5 and can be reserved or bought at the door.

To donate raffle prizes or get tickets call at the Solway Hall, the old Civic Hall, in Lowther Street in Whitehaven.

Donations can be handed in at the event on Friday night or by visiting the crowd funding link here.