A NIGHTCLUB owner has pledged to raise tens of thousands of pounds for charity after he suffered a major health scare - saying the target is not "unrealistic".

Ozzie Rasih, who owns Silk Road, in St Botolph’s Street, Colchester, has targeted raising £30,000 which will go towards Greenstead Food Bank, Colchester Hospital’s children’s ward and families in need.

A GoFundMe page has been set up and has so far raised just under £1,000 in its first week.

Mr Rasih, who has owned the Silk Road nightclub since 2008, said a major health emergency which hospitalised him for nearly a fortnight caused him to start the fundraiser.

He said: “I ended up in hospital over 12 days for emergency care, and I’m just grateful to be here.

Gazette: Venue – Silk Road nightclub is one of Colchester's best known evening venuesVenue – Silk Road nightclub is one of Colchester's best known evening venues (Image: N/A)

“I was told I had about 300 absent seizures when I was in hospital –  I’m 56, so that was a massive scare.”

Mr Rasih did not go into detail about the medical episode, but explained he is now re-evaluating his priorities and wants to give more back to the community.

In a post on a GoFundMe page, he wrote: “Christmas has always been a time of year when I reflect on a lot of things.

“This year in particular, I am grateful for my health.

“Those of you who know, know, but I am on the mend and on a mission to give something back to the community.”

Gazette: Valued – Greenstead Foodbank will receive much of overall sum raisedValued – Greenstead Foodbank will receive much of overall sum raised (Image: Social Media)

Though Mr Rasih is back to working weekends at the Silk Road, he is keen to make sure he can raise as much money as he can for charities helping people in Colchester, having eased his way back into working full time at the nightclub.

“Most of the money we raise will end up in the Greenstead Foodbank – the rest will go to Colchester Hospital’s children’s wards and families who need it," he added.

“I’ve had 28 donations and we are at about £995 and we are hopefully going to start collecting money in the venue.

“Once we get it up and running I hope we will get it done properly, because I don’t think £30,000 is unrealistic.”

To donate to the fundraiser visit tinyurl.com/3nvw85uy.