A LEIGH dad is pleading for help in his bid to win a transatlantic custody battle for his four-year-old son.

Stephen Bell, of Richmond Drive, has been fighting to bring his only child Charlie home from Illinois in America since 2014.

He is living there with his ex-wife’s parents after she lost custody herself last year, following a serious incident.

A trial in Illinois in December will decide where Charlie is to live and Stephen needs to raise $20,000 to have his day in court.

The 34-year-old said: “To finally have my son home with me for Christmas would be the best present ever for both me and Charlie. He wants to live with me.

“He is so upset and confused by all this and has already missed starting school here.

“So far everything looks quite positive in terms of having him live with me. I have the full support of his maternal grandparents he lives with, so I am hoping this nightmare will soon be over.

"But I have to raise the money to make that happen.

“The trial itself is going to cost around $20,000 for my lawyer’s fees as I am not from America and my ex-wife is.

"I have to jump through a lot of legal hoops and I have to pay a retainer and bill to fight this.”

Stephen has already raised a quarter of the $20,000 he needs through a GoFundMe page he has set up and is appealing for Journal readers to make much needed donations.

He said: "I need help so I can see my son grow up.

“Any amount will help and all donations will be much appreciated.

“This fight has completely drained my financial resources and I have had to face the battle on short term visas, after losing my green card in the divorce.

"It has been a horrible and emotional rollercoaster but I just hope that it has a happy ending and Charlie is finally able to live with me."

Stephen met Charlie’s American mum in London.

They got married and moved to America when she was pregnant with Charlie but planned to return to the UK to live.

Stephen bought the house in Leigh he lives in as a home for the family prior to the break-up of his marriage.

To make a donation, or for information about upcoming fundraising events for the custody battle, visit gofundme.com/doingitforcharlie.