Family and friends renew appeal to help 'warrior' Lancaster dad seriously injured in road accident

Thursday, 4 April 2024 16:04

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

Graham Layton with his wife Hayley and daughter Sophie

Family and friends of a loving husband and father who suffered serious injuries in a road accident have renewed an appeal to help with his long road to recovery.

Graham Layton was taken to hospital with a broken back and serious leg injuries in December, after he was struck by a vehicle on King Street, Lancaster.

A fundraising page was set up to help Graham and his family during his rehabilitation.

So far the fundraiser has raised more than £8500.

"In the last week Graham has managed to walk his first few steps since the accident, miraculous really after two broken legs and a smashed lower back, but he's still (got) a long way to go," said an update on the fundraising page, which is being run by his friends Paul Yeates and Maryjo Yeates, and sister Samantha Layton.

"He's at least another month in the rehab where he is in Southport, so away from his family and with hours of physio daily, (he) is both mentally and physically tired.

"After a home visit proving it's impossible for him to be able to come home due to his disabilities, they are now looking at housing options. An electric wheelchair is the first of many items purchased to enable him to even contemplate coming home and having some sort of independence.

"So with a long road of recovery still ahead and unknown future, this beautiful family need all the help they can get to see them through the coming months.

"So PLEASE let's keep sharing the link and donating to relieve some of the upcoming pressures they are still to face."

Graham was transferred to the spinal unit at Southport in January.

In December, an update from Graham's wife Hayley on behalf of herself, her husband and daughter Sophie, was posted to the fundraising page.

"(Graham) has been through three major surgeries with lots of ups and downs along the way, but anyone who knows him will already know that he is an absolute warrior and he is pushing through all the pain and worries that come along with it like an absolute trooper!

"He still has a very long way to go but with the support from the most amazing family and friends I know he can do it!!

"Secondly, Graham, Sophie and I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us so far.

"We feel truly blessed to be surrounded by such kind and selfless people who care for our family, it's totally overwhelming to see the amount of support we have received from not just friends and family but the whole community in Lancaster. We are proud to say we live in a wonderful city with such kind, caring, compassionate and generous people.

"We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated to the GoFundMe page the money raised has really helped to ease the financial worries that come with an uncertain future."

The fundraising page can be found here.