A dad-of-three has been left paralysed after falling from ladders in a freak accident at work. Self-employed handyman Andrew Ellis, 30, from Blackley in Manchester, broke his spine in the fall while working at a property in July.
As reported by Manchester Evening News, he was rushed to hospital and later transferred to Salford Royal where he underwent surgery. He currently has no feeling from the waist down and has been told it's likely he will need to use a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
His cousin, Nicole Whipday, 28, said the accident was an "enormous shock" for the family and has hit Andrew very hard. "It's a very sad situation. He's just the nicest person you could meet," she said.
"He's very well-known and popular round here and there's no single person who doesn't like him or has a bad word to say to about him. It's so just cruel something like that has happened to such a nice person like him.
Andrew, who has three little girls and worked as a landscaper, gardener and electrician amongst other trades, is currently separated from his family as he continues his recovery and rehabilitation at the specialist North West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre in Southport on Merseyside. It's 50 miles from his home and he's set to remain for several more weeks at least.
His family and friends have launched a fundraising appeal to support his fiancée Tasha and their daughters whilst Andrew is unable to work. Tasha is visiting as often as she can while juggling the care of Brooke, nine, Scarlett, six, and Harper, five with other family members and friends rallying round in support and giving them lifts to the hospital.
Nicole said: "He's always been such a harder worker as well and obviously he's not able to go out and earn money to provide for them at the moment which I know is a big worry for him, and which is why we are doing the fundraising. But we've also been surprised at how positive he's been.
"Like anyone would in this situation he's had his moments but when I went to see him with my sister, he was laughing and making jokes with us, being the typical funny Andrew. He's so determined and is working so hard at his rehabilitation and they've said he's doing really well.
"We are wanting to raise money but also awareness. That things like this do happen and people's lives change in an instant."
Friends and family are aiming to raise £2,000 to help support Andrew's family as he continues his recovery. To make a donation to the fundraising appeal, click here.
They are currently planning a big fundraising event at the Manchester Irish Centre in November. And as well as inviting any donations to the fund, they are appealing for any businesses or individuals who may be able to donate items that can be auctioned or raffled off to come forward.
In a short statement issued through his family, Andrew said: "I just can't thank everyone enough for doing they are doing." To make a donation to the fundraising or to contact the family about donating a raffle item click here.
