THE mother of teenage sledge crash victim Stephen Lightbown has praised the efforts of an army of fund-raisers who have rallied round to ease his pain.

Susan Lightbown of Sough Road, Darwen, has been overwhelmed by the response of the community to 16-year-old Stephen's plight following his freak accident.

More than £4,000 has been collected for the popular teenager who is being treated in the spinal unit at Southport Hospital - where he has been since his sledge went out of control and struck a tree in Bold Venture Park four months ago.

At the moment he is preparing to sit his GCSE exams. Mrs Lightbown said: "Stephen has been home for two weekends and enjoyed a day at Blackburn Rovers but he's back in bed after a set back in his rehabilitation. But we are very encouraged by all the support and Stephen is looking forward to thanking people in person."

The latest round of fund-raising includes a raffle and disco, organised by Stephen's former teacher Claire Hunter and his friend Mike Leighton.

The event will be held on July 6 at Marigold's Function Room in Darwen town centre - to raise cash for the special trust fund set up to boost Stephen's quality of life when he returns home.

Mrs Lightbown said: "The trust fund will help us adapt our lives to make things as normal as possible for Stephen. The way things are at the moment he can only get into the dinning room at home."

The raffle, which will be drawn at the disco, boasts dozens of impressive prizes ranging from Alan Shearer's boots, which he will wear during the forthcoming European Championships, to a meal at a local restaurant.

Disco tickets costing £5 and raffle tickets are on sale at St Peter's School, Darwen, and various local businesses. Any businesses willing to sell tickets should ring Mrs Hunter on 701299.

More than £500 raised at a special concert at Derwent Hall and £700 from an event at St Peter's school have already been added to the trust fund account.

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