A groom has had life-saving surgery after being struck down with a brain haemorrhage just days before his wedding in Greece.

John Duffey, of Keighley, was in a private hospital in the Greek capital Athens last night recovering from emergency surgery which could only be carried out thanks to a massive effort to raise 13,000 Euros (£10,800).

Comedian Jason Manford was among those who donated money to pay for the operation.

Mr Duffey, 28, a keen cricketer, suffered a haemorrhage on Christmas Day – four days before his wedding to fiancee Elena Sidorova.

His sister, Catherine Barker, of Cullingworth, said it had been a “huge relief” the operation had been successful.

However there were complications during surgery and Mr Duffey will have to stay in hospital for the next fortnight.

Mrs Barker, 27, of Parkside Terrace, said her parents, Chris and Linda Duffey, and Elena had remained at her brother’s side. “We are all really relieved,” she said. “He was transported to Athens late on Tuesday night and had the surgery yesterday morning after we got the cash for the operation.”

The Telegraph & Argus exclusively revealed the family’s plight to raise the money needed for the operation last week.

Since then – and following an appeal by Mrs Barker in the paper and on Facebook – generous people from across the country have stepped forward to donate money.

They have included Jason Manford and Linda Brown, who set up the Chris Brown Trust in memory of her 24-year-old son, who died in 2009 while playing rugby for Silsden Park Rangers.

Mr Duffey, a bowler who plays for Bradley and whose previous teams include Long Lee, Oakworth and Ingrow, has also received support from colleagues in the Craven and District Cricket League.

Mrs Barker said that, despite raising enough money for the operation, the family still needed money for his aftercare and other hospital costs.

She said: “We have received many donations and everybody has been so generous.

“Jason Manford contacted me to find out whether it was legitimate and donated quite a large amount.”

However, she added: “We still need to carry on because we need money to pay the rest of the fees and to get him home.”

There will be a fundraising night at Keighley cricket club on Saturday at 7.30pm.