A young man was left paralysed and unable to speak after the taxi he was a passenger in crashed at Heap Bridge.

Alex Pearson, 23, was on his way to a friend's birthday party and had been in the vehicle for just moments before the horrific incident on Friday, January 29. After picking Alex up from his Prettywood home, the taxi was in collision with another car on Bury New Road.

Alex, who was the sole passenger, suffered serious spinal injuries and had to endure five hours of surgery on his spinal cord and a tracheotomy operation to aid his communication. The taxi driver and passengers in the other car were not seriously hurt.

But despite being told he might never walk again, Alex is making a determined effort to prove doctors wrong and friends and family have rallied around him to help him on the road to recovery.

His loved ones have set up the Alex Pearson Appeal to offer some practical fundraising help to Alex and his family, and have a host of upcoming events planned.

Jav Iqbal, chairman of the appeal, said: "Alex is a local lad and had a very bright future ahead of him before this tragic accident. The injuries he sustained were so severe that medical specialists have indicated he will be paralysed from the neck down for the rest of his life, although we are all hoping and praying that Alex proves them wrong."

Alex, who lives with his dad Allan, and step-mum, Sue Davies, had a massive interest in sports and supplied boxer Ricky Hatton's own brand of clothes through Radcliffe-based company Sportax.

Ricky is currently in Australia, but Allan hopes to approach him on his return to see if he can lend any support to the appeal.

A number of celebrities have already pledged their help at the upcoming fundraisers, including darts player Tony O'Shea and Coronation Street star Simon Gregson, who plays Steve McDonald.

Alex is still in the intensive care unit at Salford Royal Hospital, with plans to move to a specialist long term spinal unit in Southport this week. His mum, Denise, now lives in Turkey, but flew back to England after hearing of the accident.

Jav said: "I visited Alex this week and he was in good spirits although very tired. He is able to breathe unaided for longer periods now, but cannot yet speak properly. He can, however, mouth words better now that the tracheotomy has meant he hasn't got tubes in his mouth. Now, the long road to recovery and rehabilitation begins. Extensive physiotherapy and counselling will be required and we expect Alex to be in hospital care for up to two years. With the move to the unit at Southport, this time will be difficult for his family and friends. We would much appreciate any support from anybody who can give it, especially local businesses, to give Alex and his family some much-needed help."

There is a fundraising event on Saturday, March 6, at Heap Bridge Social Club, and at The Trafalgar on Manchester Road, Bury, on Saturday, March 20. Anyone who can help with the appeal, including providing raffle prizes, should go to The Seven Stars on Rochdale Road, Bury, just past the M66 motorway roundabout at Heap Bridge, or visit the Alex Pearson Appeal on Facebook.

Alternatively, contact the Heywood Advertiser nnewsdesk on 0161 211 2818.