A TEENAGE boy has started a fundraising campaign to raise £14,000 for a Stroud man who is paralysed from the shoulders down.

Max Owen, 14, was introduced to Neil Francis as part of the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.

When he was just 17-years-old Neil dived into a swimming pool while on holiday in Dubai, suffering a broken neck in the c5, c6 region.

He lay at the bottom of the pool, conscious but unable to move, he drowned but was revived at the poolside by some quick witted people.

Unconscious and immobile he lay in Dubai for two weeks until he could be transported home.

Neil was taken to Odstock Hospital in Salisbury, a specialist spinal injury unit where their outstanding care over nine months saw him heal as best he could following this physical, emotional and life changing event.

It took Neil a couple of months before he could sit up straight but even when he managed it the effort left him exhausted.

However, Neil has not let the accident hold him back from achieving things in life and he trained to become a counsellor and after that an I.T lecturer.

For over a decade he inspired children and teachers by offering help to people who suffer with emotional difficulties.

Unfortunately his body and wheelchair began to betray him and being in the same rigid upright position finally prevented Neil from teaching and doing the things he loved.

In a video made by Max, Neil said: “Being in the same position for that length of time takes its toll on the body.

“A new wheelchair would make a huge difference, from being stuck in one position to being a lot freer and free from that trapped feeling.”

Neil has had the same wheelchair for six or seven years and now Max is desperate to raise the money for a new one that will be able to take Neil outside, elevate him up and to let him enjoy the outdoors and the most normal life possible.

When he was growing up Max’s Nana was also in a wheelchair and his Grandad worked tirelessly to provide her with the best possible life and latest wheelchair technology.

Inspired by his Grandad Max wants to make the same difference to Neil that his Grandad did to his Nana.

He said: “I’m determined to do the very best that I can do to support Neil and provide the most suitable, life changing wheelchair.”

Sarah Jane Morris, Neil’s Aunt of about the same age, has also been heavily involved in getting Neil’s story heard and she still remembers him as an active young boy.

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Sarah and Neil

“His school life was filled with the joys of any normal boy. He loved the outdoors and adventure and courage. He swam to the deep end further than any of us, he spoke with grown-ups where we wouldn’t dare, he made tents out of twigs and found midnight feasts to share.

“We all adored his never ending energy and enthusiasm for life.

“Now the spasms are almost every other day.

“You cannot predict when you are going to be able to talk to Neil. Sometimes he can manage 30 minutes and is chirpy, others, it is only one minute before you realise that he is simply too tired to speak.

“I feel for him. I feel for that young man who never got to jump another wall or have his first dance or hold his child.”

Of the £14,000 required to buy Neil a new chair over three and a half thousand has already been raised but Max who is from Cheltenham is still appealing for help.

He said: “Please give if you can help. Heroes are those that help others enjoy life.”

There are a wide range of ways that people can donate including through the just giving page - https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/chairforneil.

For more information go to https://www.facebook.com/chairfor.neil.

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