Norton teen paralysed after devastating bike fall (From Stourbridge News)

Norton teen paralysed after devastating bike fall

11:40am Thursday 11th March 2010

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A NORTON family are coming to terms with a devastating accident which left their teenage son totally paralysed.

Brave Callum Loveridge broke four bones in his neck and severed his spinal chord after a BMX bike stunt went tragically wrong.

Redhill School pupil Callum, aged 15, began his recovery in the intensive care unit at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, his family were told he only has a slim chance of being able to walk again and regaining the use of his arms.

Tragedy struck when experienced BMX rider Callum, from Witton Street, was injured as performed a mid-air back flip while riding his bike in Wolverley on February 15.

His parents, Ade and Kim Loveridge, said: “His feet slipped off the pedals when he was upside down, because this happened so quickly he was unable to put his arms out for protection resulting in him landing head first on the ground.

“He remains very brave and strong knowing what road now lies ahead, even apologising for what he has done and saying ‘I was doing what I love, I’m so sorry’”.

Car salesman Ade, aged 39, added: “We are devastated by Callum’s accident but because he is so brave and strong it is making us stronger.”

Callum’s friends are now rallying round to support the prizewinning BMX and motorcyle motocross rider with a massive fundraising effort to pay for adaptions to the family home.

Callum will first spend up to 16 months in a specialist spinal unit in Oswestry as Ade, Kim, aged 37 and his sister Isobelle, aged ten, prepare for the future.

After a meeting at The Greyhound pub, Norton, on Tuesday March 9, a committee was formed to work with the Geoff Hill Charitable Trust on a host of events including a raffle for a ten kilo Easter egg and quiz at The Greyhound on Thursday March 25.

The group is also setting up a website, www.cal4u.co.uk with an email address, staystrong@cal4u.co.uk, as a point of contact for anyone wishing to help or keep up to date with fundraising events.

Tickets for the Easter egg raffle, priced at £1, will be available at a range of outlets including Motomark, Brook Holloway, Wollescote.

Ade said: “Both Kim and myself are so overwhelmed by the support from friends and people we don’t really know, their help will be so important to Callum’s future.”

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