A family have had their world turned upside down after a dad-of-three was left paralysed following a "cruel" accident at work. Andrew Ellis, 30, fell and broke his spine while working on a property in July.
The self-employed handyman was rushed to hospital and transferred to Salford Royal, where he underwent an emergency operation. Andrew's family, who have shared details of his accident with his permission, say he currently has no feeling from the waist down and will likely require a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
The dad, who has three daughters, is currently undergoing recovery and rehabilitation at the North West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre. The specialist hospital in Southport is 50 miles from his home in Blackley, with the dad set to stay there for several more weeks, Manchester Evening News reports.
His family and friends have launched a fundraising appeal to support his fiancée Tasha and their daughters whilst Andrew, who worked as a landscaper, gardener and electrician amongst other trades, is unable to work. His partner Tasha is visiting as often as she can whilst juggling the care of Brooke, nine, Scarlett, six and Harper, five with other family members and friends rallying round in support, for example giving Tasha, who does not drive, lifts to the hospital.
His family and friends have now also launched a fundraising appeal to support Tasha and their daughters whilst Andrew, who worked as a landscaper, gardener and electrician amongst other trades, is unable to work. Andrew's cousin, Nicole Whipday, 28, also from Blackley but who now lives in Middleton, said: "It's a very sad situation.
"He's just the nicest person you could meet. Here'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. It's obviously come as an enormous shock and it has hit him very hard.
"He's a very big family man and I think he just wants to get home to his partner and his girls, as its affected them massively as well. 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 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." His partner Tasha was visiting as often as she could whilst juggling the care of their daughters Brooke, nine, Scarlett, six and Harper, five.
His friends and family are aiming to raise 2,000 to help support his 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.
"We are wanting to raise money but also awareness," Nicole said. "That things like this do happen and people's lives change in an instant."
Andrew said in a short statement issued through his family: "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 .
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - sign up to our daily newsletter here .
