Home hope for injured Blackpool sports student

12:40pm Thursday 4th September 2008

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A Blackpool sports student who broke his neck after a horror fall in Thailand is expected to fly home next week.

Dominic Chadwick, has been in hospital in the country, which has this week declared a state of emergency due to riots, since falling from a walkway near his hotel in Phuket on August 12.

The 22-year-old suffered crushed vertebrae at the base of his neck and has been told by medics that he is unlikely to ever walk again.

A mix-up on his insurance form means Dominic is covered for just £3,000 for medical bills, but with the final bills and the cost of a flight home likely to top £20,000, a desperate fundraising effort has been taking place.

Natalie Lidstone, the girlfriend of Dominic’s brother James, who is at his bedside in Thailand, said: “So far we’ve raised more than £9,500 so there is about another £10,000 to go. It has been a fantastic effort from everyone.

“Dom is hoping to fly home on Tuesday (September 9), subject to the doctors giving him the ok. He will then go straight to the specialist spinal injuries unit at Southport.

“He has really come out fighting and is determined to walk again. He won’t just give up and it is a great attitude to have.”

Amongst the donations received so far is £1,000 from resort favourite Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown, while donations have been flying in from punters at Leisure Parcs’ shows.

Resort comedian Joey Blower is hosting a special fundraising show at his Merrie England Bar at the North Pier tonight, (Thursday), from 7pm with comedy from Frank Carson, Bobby Ball, Johnnie Casson, Tony Jo and Clive Cooper as well as vocal performances by Carol Kay and Leanne Fury.

Tickets are available on the door and cost £5, with all proceeds going to the fund.

Natalie, whose parents run the Art Deco Cafe in Stanley Park where they have had collections, said: “We need as many bums on seats as possible for the show. It should be a really good night.

“I speak to the family in Thailand every day and I know they really appreciate what people are doing for him here. It shows what a popular lad he is.”