THE family of one of Bolton's best sports coaches is appealing for donations after he was rushed to the USA for emergency tongue cancer surgery.

Nathan Tully, 31, had to travel to Los Angeles to have lifesaving tongue cancer treatment not possible in Guam, where he lives. The medical costs now stand at approximately £12,000, not including the cost of his flights and accommodation, and he may have to return to receive further treatment. His family is fundraising to help pay the huge bill.

Mr Tully lived in Breightmet and worked as a wrestling coach, coaching the future stars of Bolton. He achieved the coach of the year award in 2009 and his name was added to the Spirit of Sport sculpture on the Middlebrook roundabout.

In 2012, he met his Guam-born wife while she was competing in the London 2012 Olympics as a wrestler.

Mr Tully and his wife now live together on the Pacific island with their five-year-old daughter and three-year-old son.

Mr Tully's sister, Chantelle Clarke, says he deteriorated dramatically after his shock diagnosis in November, having been told his mouth sore was just an ulcer.

She said: "He was losing lots of weight and he couldn't really eat because the swelling was too bad. He could only talk to me for ten minutes because he was in so much pain."

"He's had to have 40 per cent of his tongue removed and a skin graft from his arm."

Mr Tully's recovery from the surgery earlier this month has been slow but steady.

Ms Clarke said: "He's recovered really well but he was worried that he wasn't going to bounce back."

Mr Tully is now awaiting results from tests on his lymph nodes, which may mean he has to return to the U.S. for radiotherapy and chemotherapy, only adding to the climbing costs.

So far, the family has raised £80 on the online Just Giving page for Mr Tully and in ticket sales for a fundraising day being held.

His sister said: "We're trying to fundraise as much as we can. I think we'll be lucky if we can get a thousand between us."

The family's fundraising day will take place on April 14 from 12pm to 4pm at the Mosley Arms in Breightmet.

The fundraiser will be a family friendly event, including a bouncy castle and different stalls. Prizes for the raffle include spa days, luxury cakes and beauty treatments. Attendees can pay on arrival.