The wife of Alan Henning, a British citizen held hostage by the Islamic State, has issued a statement pleading the militants to release him and respond to her plea "before it is too late."
The extremist Islamic organization, which has lately released online videos showing the beheading of three westerners, has threatened to kill Henning, a former taxi driver and an aid worker.
The 47-year-old from Salford was captured while on an aid mission to Syria last December.
'Peaceful Selfless Man'
The full statement from Alan Henning's wife, Barbara, which was released via the Foreign Office reads:
"I am Barbara Henning, the wife of Alan Henning.
"Alan was taken prisoner last December and is being held by the Islamic State.
"Alan is a peaceful, selfless man who left his family and his job as a taxi driver in the UK to drive in a convoy all the way to Syria with his Muslim colleagues and friends to help those most in need.
"When he was taken he was driving an ambulance full of food and water to be handed out to anyone in need. His purpose for being there was no more and no less. This was an act of sheer compassion.
"I cannot see how it could assist any state's cause to allow the world to see a man like Alan dying.
"I have been trying to communicate with the Islamic State and the people holding Alan. I have sent some really important messages but they have not been responded to.
"I pray that the people holding Alan respond to my messages and contact me before it is too late.
"When they hear this message I implore the people of the Islamic State to see it in their hearts to release my husband Alan Henning."
The militants issued their threat to kill Henning in a video released last Saturday, which showed the beheading of another British man, David Haines.
Henning, nicknamed Gadget by the man he was travelling with, was reportedly abducted on the very day he arrived in Syria to help those who were affected by the country's on-going civil war.
Barbara's written appeal comes a day after two high-profile imams in the UK had called for Henning's release in YouTube videos.
