The Ipswich community is rallying around a 35-year-old "loving" dad who was rushed to hospital following a brain abscess. 

David Clarke is currently receiving treatment at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge after suffering complications for a lifelong health condition.

At the age of 17, when he was helping his friend in the garden, Mr Clarke fell over and hit his head. 

During a CT scan at the hospital, it was found that he had hydrocephalus - a condition where there is excess fluid in the brain.

Mr Clarke also lost his sight temporarily and had to even re-learn how to walk. 

With his condition, he had to undergo several surgeries at a young age and had shunts put in, which helped drain fluids from the brain.

His wife Kerry Clarke said: "David is a lovely man and it's sad to see something like this happen to him.

"We took all the precautions that we needed to but stuff like this happens. He is a loving husband and an even better father."

Mr Clarke also has Aqua Duct Stenosis, where the ducts for cerebrospinal fluid are narrowed, and Chari Malformation, where the lower part of the brain presses against the skull.

Since he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus 15 years ago, Mr Clarke has ensured to have regular medical checks.

His family said that throughout the last year, his situation had become progressively worse.

This included developing infections for which he had to go in and out of the hospitals to get new shunts put in.

Mrs Clarke said: "On Tuesday (July 2) David was admitted into Ipswich hospital with a suspected stroke, his condition then worsened and David was then rushed back into Addenbrooks Hospital."

Since he was hospitalised, more than £1,860 has been raised to assist the couple with caring for their five-year-old daughter Darcie and to pay their bills. 

Kerry added: "I’m asking for anybody that can support us to help us just try to make an incredibly hard time that little bit easier so they don’t have to worry about the financial burden."