THE Westmorland Gazette’s Wheels for Will campaign to help a paralysed Grasmere man regain the freedom of his beloved Lakeland fells has raised more than £10,500 in just five weeks.

Thanks to an amazing response from readers, we are well on the way to achieving the target of £25,000 to buy Will Clark a specially adapted all-terrain quad, which can be operated by his head movements.

Will – a keen fell runner and skier – was left paralysed from the neck down after a freak cycling accident at Thirlmere.

The 27-year-old – a graduate in outdoor recreation management – was on a charity bike ride in July when a small twig caught in his front wheel, throwing him into the road and severing the spinal cord just below his neck.

Since then he has been a patient in the regional spinal unit at Middlesbrough, but is desperate to return home.

Now his wish may soon be granted. Will has been told by spinal injuries specialists that he could be allowed home in time for Christmas.

He is also hoping it will not be too long before he is able to return to the Lakeland fells in the specially adapted all-terrain cart (ATC) that the Wheels for Will appeal will fund.

The machine - based on a WoodStar ATC - will be specially built to suit Will’s physique and needs.

Wheels for Will is running alongside the Will Clark Fund, set up by the people of Grasmere to help support Will and enable him to live in the community where he grew up.

The fund is expected to be boosted by a ‘Season For Good Will’ dinner and auction of promises at the Daffodil Hotel, Grasmere, on December 15.

More than 760 people are reg-ularly following both Will's progress and the fund-raising events on the Will Clark Fund Facebook page.

And Will’s story is being relayed around the world thanks to a Christmas card inspired by his 14-year-old cousin Lucy Baxter.

Lucy painted a festive design reproduced on 8,000 cards, which have been sold to boost the fund by more than £3,500.

Will’s mother Angela said: “The last pack being auctioned on Facebook raised £243. Will was intrigued to know where the cards would be sent and so we are having great fun tracking them through Facebook.

“So far we know that they have been posted to Japan, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, Tha-iland, Bermuda, USA, Spain and Switzerland.”

Meanwhile, Grasmere Players are donating cash raised at their Christmas Readings, which take place in Grasmere Hall at 8pm on December 21, to the fund.

To follow Will’s progress visit www.facebook.com/thewillclarkfund

How you can help

  • Send your donation (cheques only) made payable to The Will Clark Fund, along with your name, address, contact telephone number and email address to: Wheels for Will, c/o Allan Tunningley, The Westmorland Gazette, 1 Wainwright’s Yard, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4DP. Cheques should be marked on the back ‘Wheels for Will’.
  • Alternatively, you can donate via online banking or at a bank branch to the following account: Santander, P O Box 383, 21 Prescot Street, London, E1 8RP. Sort code: 09-01-28; Account number: 34788191; Account Name: The Will Clark Fund; Quote as reference: Wheels for Will.