AN AYLBURTON man who sustained severe brain injuries

following a serious accident is jumping off a 245ft high swing for charity – almost 18 years to the day later.

Doctors believed Tom Bendall wouldn’t walk again after the then 19-year-old was hit by a car late at night in the village.

He was in a coma for five months and had a broken neck, pelvis, foot and internal injuries.

In the last two years, with the help of extra physiotherapy and his personal gym trainer Dan Hines, his progress has improved tremendously.

His mum, Pam Bendall said: “I can’t tell you how proud I am of Tom and how far he has come in the last 18 years. After his accident, doctors said that if he survived he would basically be a ‘vegetable’ and stand no chance of living a normal life again.

“It’s been a long slog for us all to help him rebuild his life but he is getting there slowly and his speech is improving as well as his ability to walk. He has been using a wheelchair since the accident but has built the strength to walk short distances with a walking stick.

“Since going to the gym in Chepstow with Dan he wanted something to work towards and decided to raise money for The Lodge Chepstow Rehabilitation Home in Tutshill, where he has lived since 2011. He wishes to raise £2,000 for them so that more people like him can achieve their goals.

“He was advised against a sky dive and zip wire but he can do a 254ft high swing at the National Diving Centre.”

His fundraiser takes place next Saturday (October 15) just two days before his 37th birthday.