OVER £11,000 has been raised for an Abersoch chef who has been forced to close his restaurant as he recovers in hospital from pneumonia.

Si Toft, who runs The Dining Room in the popular Llyn village, was taken to hospital with pneumonia after suffering a serious chest infection.

It left him no choice but to close his restaurant during peak season and it is likely to remain closed for a further week while he recovers.

Fellow restaurateur, Gary Usher of Stickey Walnut in Chester, heard of his friend’s illness and called on his fellow Twitter followers to rally round to raise money for the chef’s family.

A crowdfunding page was set up by Karen White, from Chester, to help with the fundraiser, which is being supported by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey, and so far has already raised over £11,000.

Karen said: “I know Si and his family and when I heard he had to close his restaurant because he was in hospital I felt we had to do something to help."

If you wish to support the appeal visit https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/karen-white

See the full story in this week’s Arfon/Dwyfor edition of the Cambrian News