Newlyweds Sue and Gordon Campbell-Barr have raised thousands for the critical care unit in Kings College Hospital in London after staff saved Mrs Campbell- Barr’s life.

She has suffered a near-fatal brain haemorrhage at work and was rushed to hospital where doctors told her husband it was unlikely she would survive.

Mrs Campbell-Barr spent three weeks in the specialist unit but survived. Her husband, a sergeant with Suffolk Police, now wants to raise money to say thank you.

Mr Campbell-Barr, 51, said: “Her capillaries and arteries had all tangled up and burst – it was a ticking time bomb.

“When I got to the hospital they whisked me into a little room where they said they didn’t think she was going to make it.

“Eight hours later she had been in surgery and I was called to the critical care unit, my first question was: ‘Is she alive?’”

Mrs Campbell-Barr, 50, was monitored constantly before she was allowed home. She was due to undergo further surgery today to drain blood from her eye in an effort to restore her sight.

Mr Campbell-Barr, of Heron Road, Kelvedon, said: “We met at a barbecue in August 2015 having last seen each other 34 years ago at sixth form. I knew then I would marry her and three weeks later I bought the engagement ring.

Between them the couple, who were voted Essex’s most romantic couple to marry at Braxted Park, have four children - Millie Potter, 11, Megan Potter, 16, Olivia Campbell-Barr, 15, and Josh Campbell-Barr, 19.

The sergeant has so far raised more than £2,000 online and will be letting step-daughter Millie shave his head in assembly at St Mary’s Primary School next week.

Mr Campbell-Barr is also taking on a sky dive even though he is scared of heights.

To donate, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/Gordon-Campbell-barr.