THE family of a man who suffered horrific burns on holiday in Portugal is to donate some of the cash raised by kind-hearted Evening Press readers to charity.

Bernard Earnshaw, who is recovering in Wakefield's Pinderfields Hospital, was stranded in a Lisbon hospital after suffering 45 per cent burns.

Without travel insurance the Norton family's only option was to raise thousands of pounds to fly him home on a special medical flight.

Bernard's daughter Clare Weatherill spearheaded a campaign, launched through the Evening Press, to raise the money within a week.

Within days Evening Press readers rallied round the family and had helped them reach their target.

"We managed to raised about £2,500 from donations," she said.

"Friends and relatives were able to raise about £2,000 to help get him home."

Initially the family was told they would have to raise £9,000, but British Airways stepped in and offered to return the 55-year-old to England for around £4,000.

"We have about £500 left over which we are planning to give to a burns charity," said Clare.

"Everyone has been so kind and we are so grateful for their help."

Bernard was on holiday in the Algarve with his wife Christine when the accident happened.

The accident happened as Bernard attempted to squirt lighter fluid onto a barbecue from a metal can.

The can caught fire, burning his hand and body.

He was taken to hospital in Lisbon where he received free medical care but the family feared he might slip into depression and his condition worsen.

Within a week of appealing to Evening Press readers for help the family had raised enough money to bring him home.

Bernard was flown to Heathrow and was then transferred to Pinderfields Hospital.

Updated: 08:03 Friday, August 24, 2001