A popular dad-of-three was paralysed from the waist down after a horror accident at work.
Self-employed handyman Andrew Ellis, 30, was working at a property in July when he fell from a ladder and broke his spine. He was taken to hospital and later transferred to Salford Royal where he underwent surgery.
The 30-year-old, who has three young daughters, currently has no feeling from the waist down and has been told it is likely he will need to use a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Andrew is now receiving treatment at the specialist North West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre in Southport, MEN reports.
READ MORE: Gun shots fired through window of a house
He will remain separated from his family for several more weeks as he continues his recovery and rehabilitation at the centre, which is 50 miles away from his Blackley home. A fundraising page has been set up to support Andrew's fiancée Tasha and their daughters whilst Andrew, who worked as a landscaper, gardener and electrician among other trades, is unable to work.
His cousin Nicole Whipday, 28, said: "It's a very sad situation. He's just the nicest person you could meet. Here's very well-known and popular round here and there's no single person who doesn't like him or has a bad word to say to about him.
"It's so just cruel something like that has happened to such a nice person like him. It's obviously come as an enormous shock and it has hit him very hard.
"He's a very big family man and I think he just wants to get home to his partner and his girls, as its affected them massively as well. He's always been such a harder worker as well and obviously he's not able to go out and earn money to provide for them at the moment which I know is a big worry for him, which is why we are doing the fundraising.
"But we've also been surprised at how positive he's been. Like anyone would in this situation he's had his moments but when I went to see him with my sister was laughing and making jokes with us, being the typical funny Andrew.
"He's so determined and is working so hard at his rehabilitation and they've said he's doing really well."
Andrew's partner Tasha is visiting him as often as she can whilst juggling the care of their daughters Brooke, nine, Scarlett, six and Harper, five. His friends and family are aiming to raise 2,000 to help support his family as he continues his recovery.
They are currently planning a big fundraising event at the Manchester Irish Centre in November. And as well as inviting any donations to the fund, they are appealing for any businesses or individuals who may be able to donate items that can be auctioned or raffled off to come forward.
Nicole said: "We are wanting to raise money but also awareness that things like this do happen and people's lives change in an instant."
Andrew said in a short statement issued through his family: "I just can't thank everyone enough for doing they are doing."
To make a donation to the fundraising or to contact the family about donating a raffle item click here.
READ NEXT:
Army bomb disposal team called after 'suspicious items' found on train tracks
'Gentle' mum and son found dead in Sefton Park flat are 'both at peace now'
Neighbours 'on edge' after mum's loud nights of sexual activity
DWP Universal Credit will give four groups of claimants cash boost from this week
