Man in serious condition in Australian hospital

Mark Middlehurst was having a day off from working on a farm in Perth during a year-long trip of a lifetime and headed out on a motorbike with some friends when the accident happened last Tuesday.

The 28-year-old, of School Brow, Billinge, suffered serious head injuries in the crash and is currently in a coma.

His mum Julie, dad Malcolm and brother David flew out as soon as they heard and have barely left his bedside since.

Family friend Paul Darbyshire said: “Mark went out on a motorbike with some friends and hit a tree branch. The branch took his helmet off and and Mark was thrown head first into the tree.

“He was airlifted to hospital and he has had various test but he is in a really serious condition and we are just hoping and praying he is going to get better.”

Mark’s family have been overwhelmed by the support they have received in Australia and back home.

Nearly £10,000 has been raised to help the family support themselves while they stay with Mark and for any treatment he may need in the future, including getting him home.

Several fundraising events have been set up, including a pub crawl in Billinge this Saturday and Sportsman’s Dinner in December.

Any money left over from the fundraising will be donated to a charity of the family’s choice.

To find out more about the event visit crowdfunding.justgiving.com/steven-coyne-1 or a facebook page called Miggy’s charity pub crawl.