A 20-YEAR-OLD former Black Country man who survived a horrific car crash is gearing up to climb Mount Snowdon to raise money for a brain injury charity which has helped him on the road to recovery.

Former Halesowen man Edward Tymoshyshyn, who now lives in Frome, Somerset, is set to embark on the challenge on Monday September 10 - which he hopes will raise hundreds of pounds for Headway Bristol Brain Injury Association.

Eddie, as he is known, suffered severe brain trauma after a car he was travelling in overturned in December last year. His injury was so severe doctors told his parents, Paul from Stourbridge and Jo who now lives in Somerset, that he was unlikely to survive - and if he did he would be severely disabled.

He spent three weeks in intensive care at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, and medics had to remove the front part of his skull to take the pressure off his brain.

But incredibly he started to show signs of recovery over the following weeks in hospital - and now nine months on he has set himself the challenge of climbing the highest peak in Wales with his trusty two-and-a-half-year Labrador/Staffy cross Charlie and best friends Zach and Pete who suggested the idea.

His mum Jo, who used to work at Stourbridge College, said relatives - many of whom still live in Stourbridge and Halesowen - have been overjoyed that Eddie has made such a miraculous recovery since the crash.

She described his plight as her "worst nightmare times a hundred" but she added: “He is very lucky to be alive.

“When the doctors had finished operating on him they said he had only a 40 per cent chance of survival.

“But somehow he has pulled through and we are really proud of what he is doing.

“He has still got a long way to go and it is very early days but it is amazing how he has coped in the past nine months.”

Eddie, who hopes to carve out a career in the music business in the future, said he gets frustrated and tired as a result of his injury but he added: "I am optimistic about my recovery."

He said his best friend Zach, who was in the car with him at the time of the crash, has been there for him throughout his battle back from the brink.

The driver, Benjamin Smart, was fined £220 and ordered to pay £35 costs and a £15 victim surcharge after he admitted driving without due care and attention and not having a valid MoT at a hearing at South Somerset magistrates in May this year.

Eddie, who went to Newfield Park School in Halesowen before moving to Somerset, hopes to raise as much money for the charity as he can by taking on the challenge - and if it goes well he says he wants to attempt the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge.

He said: “I'm looking forward to the climb. I’m not nervous, it will be fine."

His mum, however, said: "I shall be a nervous wreck for two days but it's something he needs to do on his own."

So far family and friends have pledged nearly £800 in sponsorship.

Anyone wishing to boost the total further can do so online via website www.justgiving.com/Eddie-Tymo