A man who was left paralysed in a Thai hospital is on his way home thanks to an anonymous benefactor.

Tom Moss, a 27-year-old Chelsea fan from Tooting, was stranded in Asia because he did not have travel insurance when his moped was hit by two cars and a lorry.

But after campaigns by the Wandsworth Guardian and other newspapers, his family raised £35,000 to fly him home – with the final £6,000 donated anonymously.

His sister, Jamie Harvey, 32, from Southfields, said: “It came through on Monday and we were gobsmacked. The guy obviously just saw that’s how much we needed and just put it in. I’m overwhelmed by all the generosity. Seeing the money rise over the past week was really emotional for me.

“It’s down to the papers that everyone saw our story. I’d like to thank everyone who donated from the bottom of my heart.”

Mr Moss, who was left almost blind and unable to move from the neck down, will return on Monday for treatment at St George’s Hospital in Tooting. His family began a campaign a week ago to raise money online with the crisis organisation, Mediaviation. Since then, donations arrived from all over the UK – and even as far away as America, Canada and Asia.

Some children donated their pocket money, while one Chelsea fan, known only as Guy, donated £5,000 with the words, “We’ll see you at Stamford Bridge”.

Mr Moss, of Franciscan Road, left his telesales job to travel in south-east Asia six months ago – working occasionally to support himself.

The crash happened during a night out in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, leaving him confined to a hospital bed with brain injuries, 95 per cent sight loss and a broken jaw, cheek bones and nose.

His mum, Gina Allaway, 53, who lives in Southfields, flew to his bedside but his three sisters and brother could not afford to make the journey.

Mr Moss grew up in Tooting and attended Wandle and Graveney schools.

A fundraising event at the Wheatsheaf pub in Upper Tooting Road last Saturday made £3,000, after Chelsea FC donated a signed football shirt for auction.