Appeal to help brain-damaged man

AN appeal has been launched to raise more than �1,000 to buy a mobility scooter for a Gorleston man who has been left with brain damage after being attacked three years ago.

David Reade, who runs computer shop IC Repairs in Bells Road, Gorleston, is holding a raffle to raise money for the scooter for Gordon Simpson, 46, who now lives in a care home in Church Lane, Gorleston.

Mr Reade is a friend of Scotsman Mr Simpson, who was left wheelchair-bound after being punched while attending a funeral wake at the Admiral Seymour pub in Yarmouth in February 2008.

He was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge in a life-threatening condition, and had to undergo extensive brain surgery to save his life.

However, the lasting damage caused by the attack means Mr Simpson can not live independently, and has to spend most of his days at the care home. He has also lost control of his right hand and his speech is slurred.

Mr Reade said the former taxi driver, who has lived in the Yarmouth area for 20 years, was not eligible to receive a mobility scooter so he was organising the fund-raiser to buy him one. “He is a third of the man he used to be. He was left in a pretty bad state. He is still not able to walk and has no feeling in his right hand.

“He does not feel his fingers catching in the wheel of his wheelchair,” Mr Reade said.

So far, 250 raffle tickets, costing �2.50 each, have been printed off and 150 sold to raise money for the scooter. Prizes include bottles of wine and champagne.

Tickets can be bought at IC Repairs, and from the King William pub in Gorleston until December 18. Mr Reade hopes to be able to present Mr Simpson with the scooter on December 20.