FRIENDS of a young man left severely paralysed after a horrific diving accident have rallied round to raise money for his rehabilitation.
Gerard Murphy, 22, broke his neck and fractured his spine after misjudging the depth of water before diving into the rocky bottom of a shallow lake in July.
The Exeter University student – whose grandparents hail from Ireland – was holidaying in Sweden when he suffered the horrific injury.
He underwent emergency surgery before being flown home to Britain, but has been left with C5 tetraplegia, meaning he is paralysed in his legs, wrists and hands.
However friends of Gerard, who lives in Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire, have pledged to raise £100,000 to aid his recovery – and in just over a week are almost halfway to their goal.
Despite the life-changing accident, Alex Jundi paid tribute to his “inspirational” friend on the JustGiving page he helped set up.
“Such an event has naturally had a seismic effect on Gerard's life, as well as the lives of his friends and family,” he said.
“Despite this he remains his positive, upbeat self, and is determined to make as much progress as possible. He really is both our hero, and our inspiration.
“At this moment, we don’t know what the next step will hold for Gerard, and so we are planning to start fundraising to help assist with his future.
“If you know Gerard, you will understand how tenaciously independent he is, and so to live anything close to an independent life, he will need regular care and specially adapted equipment.”
All money raised will go directly to helping Gerard recover and live a fulfilling life.
He is already intent on finishing the final year of his Arabic and geography degree once he is able to return to his studies.
Friends have been paying tribute to the young man and sharing his story using the hashtag #WhyWeLoveGerard
They have also made a YouTube video, below, paying tribute to their friend, who “never gives up”.
