THE Slyne community has rallied round to help a local teenager who was left paralysed after a tragic car accident. Andrew Hartley, 17, was lined up for a promising football career as a professional at Wigan Athletic before the tragedy struck. He was left paralysed from the waist down after the accident in April but he has got by with a lot of help from his family and friends who have set up an appeal fund.

"Andrew's life has altered drastically and we have set up an appeal fund to raise money for immediate essentials to make life more tolerable," said Carol Michaels, one of the neighbour's behind the fund-raising.

"He's a quite, well-liked lad and everyone in the village has been only too happy to make an effort to help him."

Andrew has been supported by his employers, Hargreaves, photographer Gerard Hearne, and Morecambe's Headway Hotel, where a recent fancy dress disco was attended by 150 people and raised more than £1,000.

"It was a really successful evening with virtually everyone making an effort to get dressed up," said Carol. "So many people have got involved or made a contribution and on the night a party of line dancers at the hotel had a whip round and donated £70."

All the money raised has gone towards equipment and conversions to the family home.

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