A GREIF stricken family from Tenbury are trying to give their father who has advanced cancer a life line.

Karl Lacks, 60, who lives in Kyre, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2012, which has now spread to his lungs and he has a life-threatening tumour blocking his airway.

He had an operation to remove a large section of his bowel and has been having chemotherapy but his condition has deteriorated over recent months.

Karl's wife Janet, 61, and his four daughters have taken matters in to their own hands.

Janet and daughters Victoria (33) and Anna (35) who live in Cleobury Mortimer, together with Rosie (26) who lives in Worcester and Caroline (30) who is in North Yorkshire decided that they would research to see if any alternative treatment is available.

As a result, Karl travelled to Germany in July to the Klinik Marinus in Brannenberg in Bavaria. A funding campaign started by the family using social media raised the £5,000 needed for this visit.

And Karl is now receiving pioneering treatment that is not available in the UK that involves injecting him with a virus known as Rigvir that attacks the cancer cells.

The Rigvir virus is administered by an injection, which travels around the body effectively seeking out cancer cells and destroying them.

“We have a supply for three months and my mum gives Karl the injections,” said daughter Victoria.

Karl has responded well to the treatment and his cancer blood test noted a lowering of cancer in his blood.

The treatment is not licensed in the UK but the family say that it does not appear to have the side-effects that can be associated with chemotherapy.

But the treatment is expensive and the cost of a course of treatment that lasts three months is nearly £3,000.

The family has been raising money but the first course is coming to an end and at least another £600 is needed to make sure that he can hold on the lifeline for a second course of the virus.

Since being first diagnosed, Karl’s cancer has spread from his bowel into his lungs and the biggest concern is about a blockage that is making it increasingly difficult to breath. Karl has been told that this is not operable.

However, the family are refusing to give up hope.

“We know that dad is probably terminally ill and he knows the situation but we will continue to fight and explore all of the possibilities,” said his daughter Victoria.

She said that her dad has had to give up work because of his illness and that he has problems getting around because of his breathing difficulties.

The fundraising continues on social media and people who want to contribute can visit his Facebook page 'Karl Kicks Cancer’ where there are also updates about his progress.

A fundraising charity jumble sale will also take place on Saturday (October 29) at Tenbury Methodist Church that will include a wide range of bric-a-brac on sale, along with a cake stall.