Darren Cresser, from Sandy Lane, fights back from horrific cycle crash injuries as fundraising campaign is launched to help his fa

Darren Cresser, 39, was left with collapsed lungs, a broken neck, a fractured skull, fractures to his face, a broken jaw, a shattered right shoulder blade, a broken right collarbone, major nerve damage to his right arm and a dislocated and broken spine in the accident.

Now a huge fundraising drive has been launched - and has already raised nearly £14,000 - so that special adaptations can be made to the family home when he is released from hospital.

Mr Cresser, who lives in Sandy Lane with his wife Emma, 26, and children Lenny, six, and Dougie, four, was travelling home from his job as a senior refueller at Leeds Bradford airport back in July, when he lost control of his bicycle in wet weather and crashed into a brick wall.

He was on his normal commute home when he came off his bike in Alma Terrace, East Morton, and his injuries were so severe he had to be air lifted to Leeds General Infirmary.

After having emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his spinal cord, Mr Cresser was taken to intensive care and was dealt the devastating blow the surgery had been unsuccessful and he would be paralysed from the waist down.

Despite his horrendous ordeal, close family friend Louise Holt said Mr Cresser has made a “remarkable” recovery and has been moved from the Intensive Care Unit to the High Dependency Unit and will eventually be transferred to Pinderfields General Hospital, Wakefield, for rehabilitation.

She said: “He’s getting stronger by the day, he’s done so amazing.

“Emma is doing amazing, she’s there every day and the kids are going to see him. They have been really good.”

She added the accident had been “horrible”.

“I was with Emma when she went to the hospital. It was the worst thing I have ever seen,” Miss Holt said.

“It changes the way you think about life in general. You only have to see the comments.

“He’s the most amazing person you would ever wish to meet, he will do anything for anybody.

“They are a lovely couple.”

It’s thought Mr Cresser will have to spend a minimum of six months in Pinderfields, but Miss Holt says the determined dad wants to be out sooner than that.

Before the accident, Mr Cresser was a fit and active person.

As well as cycling to and from work every day, he was a competitive canoeist and a regional coach for Great Britain in slalom.

The sport was how he met Emma, who is also a keen canoeist.

Due to the nature of Mr Cresser’s injuries, extensive adaptations will need to be made for when he returns home from hospital.

While limited funds are available, Miss Holt set up the fundraising campaign to help raise money from family, friends and the wider community.

And just a few days after launching, the page raised £10,000 of its £30,000 target, with more than 200 people donating.

Miss Holt said: “The donations have been amazing so far.

“It is going to be a tough time financially for the family and they are very grateful for the continuing love and support.

“Lenny, six, and Dougie, four, can’t wait to have their daddy home.”

The fundraising effort has been met with a huge outpouring of support and countless messages have been left on the page in support of Mr Cresser and his young family.

One wrote: “We are friends of Darren’s and had some really good times.

“He is one of the nicest, most enthusiastic and fun guys we know.

“We hope Darren, Emma and the boys can be a family again soon.”

Another wrote: “Wishing you all the strength and courage to keep working through the challenges ahead of you.”

While another post said: “Wishing Darren and his whole family the very best at this testing time, as we share cherished memories and lasting friendship. Here’s hoping the target can be exceeded quickly.”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/louise-holt