A PREMIER League footballer has urged people to help raise £50,000 to adapt a home for stricken Bradford mum Donna Ormondroyd.

Bradford-raised Everton star Tom Cleverley told the Telegraph & Argus that he was moved by the plight of Donna, her husband Gregg, and their young family.

Now, the 26-year-old midfielder is working with Bradford City associate director Billy Bingham to get a property near Shipley ready for the Ormondroyds to move into.

"It is the first time I have led on something like this," said Mr Cleverley, who played football with Gregg's brother Jonathan as a youngster.

"£50,000 is ambitious. If we could get as close to £50,000 in total we would really feel like we would have achieved something."

Donna, 35, collapsed at home in Tyersal in August and was placed in a medically-induced coma, before scans revealed massive brain damage. She fought back from the brink of death and has recently been moved to a specialist rehabilitation unit in Goole, East Yorkshire, as she battles to recover.

"It was one of those things," said Mr Cleverley. "It can literally happen to anyone.

"It just came out of the blue - to one day be normal, and then one day to have a freak stroke where everything changes.

"It is unthinkable how you can deal with it. I think Gregg deserves all the help he can get and I am hoping to give him that."

He added: "We are trying to raise as much money for them as we can.

"With me not having much to do with Bradford any more, I thought I would get involved. It was something that I thought was a bad situation for them, and also for me to get involved in Bradford again.

"I found out more about Donna and I met the family. I then realised I actually knew Donna's brother-in-law - Gregg's brother - because I used to play football with him where I first started playing football aged seven or eight at Nab Wood. But I only knew him as Pods.

"We both played together at Bradford City when we were about ten."

Mr Cleverley, who has 13 England international caps, said his club Everton was helping with the appeal and that he would soon be enlisting the help of some of his closest friends in football.

"I have always been quite charity-orientated," said Mr Cleverley. "I was involved with the Christie charity when I was at Manchester United, but when I left there I've not been attached to any charities.

"People like the Ormondroyds deserve some help from someone like me that is able to put a bit of money in and has got some contacts."

He added: "It is about getting exposure now. The situation came to my attention through Billy Bingham, who I have known for years. He has been fantastic.

"Me and Billy are trying to convert the house that Incommunities in Bradford have got for the family. Incommunities have been brilliant, they are so helpful and are doing stuff for the family.

"We are trying to make their house as good as it can be for a disabled person, with sensory rooms and an improved garden so she can sit out there while the kids play, and make Gregg's life as easy as possible.

"We are looking for a garden landscaper now - it is quite a big job that needs doing. There are two ponds that need filling in. We are starting from scratch on the garden.

"Hopefully the house will be done by the summer. It is a nice, good-sized plot, it is private and has its own drive. With a bit of work it can really be a nice home for them and the family."

To donate to Mr Cleverley's appeal for the Ormondroyds visit justgiving.com/getdonnahome.