A sponsored walk in aid of Alex Smith, who was seriously paralysed after a swimming accident, takes place this Saturday on the Salthill Promenade at 2pm.
Alex’s mother is Sandra Smith, one of the Quinn family of College Road. Alex’s family and friends will be taking part in the walk and are calling on Galwegians to join in and donate towards the goal of getting Alex to walk again.
Alex (29 ) is a marine engineer. While working in the Caribbean in 2006 during some leisure time he went swimming but hit his head on a sand bank and broke his neck. This left him paralysed from the chest down. He also suffered secondary drowning due to salt water in his lungs.
He spent seven months in rehab, getting five hours of physio a day along with hydrotherapy two to three times a week. Alex is now at home and has physio twice a week to help adjust his balance and blood pressure problems.
The walk is taking place to help raise the money Alex needs to be able to continue getting the kind of physiotherapy that will give him a chance of walking again.
Those who wish to make a donation can do so through the Bank of Ireland, Mervue Industrial Estate, Account No 10242433, Sort code 904042.
Those interested in taking part in the walk should contact Sarah on 087 - 4104514. See also www.alexwillwalkagain.com