THE family of former Aldershot and Farnborough midfielder Tony Calvert are asking for donations to help fly the critically ill 48-year-old home from Gran Canaria.
Calvert, who made 125 appearances in three years with the Shots when they reformed in the Isthmian Third Division in 1992, suffered cardiac arrest a fortnight ago while on holiday and has been in an induced coma on the Canary isle since.
Daughters Holly and Portia and cousin Vanessa launched an internet campaign from his Las Palmas hospital bedside, saying: “Our family are desperate to fly Tony home to a hospital in the UK so that we can all be with him and support him and each other through this awful time.
“We need to raise in excess of £20,000 to cover the costs to fly Tony home on a plane that has all the medical equipment he needs along with a specialist paramedic team.
“We are so grateful for the support we have received so far but desperately need to raise these funds so that we can get Tony better and back where he belongs with his family and friends.”
Calvert scored 22 goals in the Aldershot number seven shirt, and Rec fans showed their support by applauding during the seventh minute of Tuesday's League Two game against Southend. They have also allowed a bucket collection at tomorrow's clash with Dagenham.
Calvert, who also played for Sandhurst, Camberley Town and Frimley Green, went on to be assistant-manager at Bracknell Town and player-manager of Ash United and Wokingham & Emmbrook.
Current Ash boss Paul Bonner, his former team-mate, said: “Tony's always been a fighter and I just know he'll pull through this, get back on his feet again and be as stupid as ever.”
A ‘Support Tony Calvert' page has been set up on facebook and donations can be made via www.pledgie.com/campaigns/19842
