A father-of-five who launched a crowdfunding appeal to raise £2,000 for Christmas has smashed his target in just a few hours.

Ben Buckley set up a GoFundMe page 'begging and pleading' for help to 'give his children a happy Christmas'.

The 32-year-old from Hull started the campaign after his wife Kirsty, 35, suffered complications while pregnant with their fifth child, forcing him to reduce his hours at his warehouse job and lose money.

Mr Buckley asked for donations because he 'doesn't want his children to be miserable at this time of year' - and raised more than £2,000 in a matter of hours.

Ben Buckley set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to pay for his children's Christmas presents

Mr Buckley is raising money so that his five children (pictured together with newborn Jessica) can enjoy Christmas

Mr Buckley's wife fell pregnant earlier this year but was admitted to hospital on several occasions with a lung infection.

He reduced his working hours to care for his family, and while he says his wages will cover the rent and bills, he is 'panicking' about how he will afford gifts for his children.

He said: 'My partner fell pregnant earlier this year and it was quite complicated. We had ups and downs over the last few months.

'My contract at work was only 24 hours per week but I did overtime up to 45 hours to make it up. I ended up suffering for a few months when I didn't get my full wage.

'We don't have a big family network. My mum and dad only make enough to fund themselves so they couldn't help, so I didn't know where to turn and what to do.

'We just need a bit of help. I'm struggling and panicking.'

Mr Buckley started his campaign on November 16 and had raised some £85 on Monday morning. By the afternoon he was up to £2,015.

The 32-year-old from Hull started the fundraising campaign (pictured) after his wife Kirsty, 35, suffered complications while pregnant with their fifth child, forcing him to reduce his hours and lose money

Mr Buckley says he 'feels ashamed and awful' but is asking for donations towards his £2,000 total because he 'doesn't want his children to be miserable at this time of year'

On his GoFundMe page he adds: 'I understand that this isn't anything compared to others problems on hear and I feel awfull having to ask for this help.[sic]'

Mr Buckley said he and his wife were told their baby may have been born with Down Syndrome.

While she was born earlier this month without the condition, the parents say they are still riddled with anxiety ahead of the festive season.

Mr Buckley adds: 'Because of all this I had to take a fair amount of time off work in the last month's thinking I was going to be supported by my work place I didn't worry to much about money.[sic]

'But it turns out my main boss had a problem with it and I'm not going to be getting paid like I expected to be.

'This should be a happy time for us all but under the surface of it all for mee and my partner it's nothing but anxiety and worry about what's to come and what we are to tell the kids and many other things.[sic]'