syntax error, unexpected '&', expecting T_VARIABLE

So when trying to install a theme I am getting an error just cant figure out whats wrong with this code:

heres the error:

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected ‘&’, expecting T_VARIABLE or ‘$’ in /home/content/t/a/c/taclightmike/html/pollacollect/wp-content/themes/invictus1/invictus/doitmax_fw/max_mass_upload.php on line 266

heres the code:

<?php 

//show all thumbnails function
function show_all_thumbs() {
	global $post;
	$post = get_post($post);
	$images =& get_children( 'post_type=attachment&post_mime_type=image&output=ARRAY_N&orderby=menu_order&order=ASC&post_parent='.$post->post_parent);
	if($images){
		foreach( $images as $imageID => $imagePost ){
			if($imageID==$post->ID){
			} else {
				$thumblist .= '<li class="item">';
				unset($the_b_img);
				$the_b_img = wp_get_attachment_image($imageID, 'small', false);
				$thumblist .= '<a href="'.get_attachment_link($imageID).'">'.$the_b_img.'</a>';
				$thumblist .= '</li>';
			}
		}
	}
	return $thumblist;
}

?>