An Eccleshall woman whose son was paralysed in a mountain bike accident is on a mission to raise thousands of pounds to make his life easier.

Pam Trafford hopes to bring in funds to help pay for equipment such as an electric wheelchair, special shower, ramps and lifts for 29-year-old Nick.

Nick, a business analyst, was due to marry his fiancee Ciara in October but his accident has forced them to put off the big day until next May.

His mother has already raised £1,300 with the help of patients and colleagues at the doctors’ surgery where she works as a nurse. The Crown Surgery, off the High Street, brought in the cash with a popular tombola staged at the recent Victorian Street Market, which was held in Eccleshall as part of the town’s bi-annual festival.

Prizes were donated by patients at the surgery, while the stall itself was manned by the staff.

Pam’s friend, Eccleshall singer Harriet Goodwin, has now offered to give a concert in aid of Nick.

The soprano, with her accompanist Christine Payne, will perform “Notes for Nick” at Holy Trinity Church, in the High Street, on July 19, at 7.30pm.

Pam, who has three other sons, said Nick was on his mountain bike on a course in North Yorkshire when the accident happened in March.

He flew over the handle-bars and broke his neck, which has left him paralysed from the chest down.

She said: “He is now in a rehabilitation unit in Aylesbury, progressing slowly but steadily.

“His attitude is absolutely brilliant, he’s got a great sense of humour and he is determined to make the best of things. We are really proud of him.

“Nick is never going to walk again but he wants to achieve maximum independence, and the equipment we want to buy for him should help him do that.

“He was amazed at the amount we raised with the tombola, and so was Ciara.

“They have been together six years. She was buying her wedding dress the weekend he had the accident. It is difficult, but she has been fantastic through all of this.”

She said the couple, who live in Leeds, were hoping to move to a wheelchair-friendly bungalow once Nick was out of hospital.