Adam’s parents Andrew and Adele Pickles with
PickleAID fundraisers. Pictured are (from left) Neil Clappison, Katie
Jones, Andrew Pickles, Adele Pickles, Lynn Haygarth and Julian Farrell.
(Copyright Melissa Connolly @ melissaphotography.co.uk)
A major Leeds event in aid of assault victim Adam
Pickles has raised five thousand pounds for the coma stricken teacher.
More than 200 people attended PickleAID in Kirkstall
UK on Saturday, July 6 - the same day Adam’s alleged attacker was
arrested in Bangkok following a seven week man hunt.
The attack came just
months after Adam missed the birth of his son Benjamin last September,
after a motorbike crash left him in a coma and needing extensive surgery
to rebuild his face.
The cash boost takes the overall fundraising total to
about ฃ76,500; with the PickleAID figure expected to rise from an online
auction of pledged gifts that were not snapped up at the event.
Adam’s parents Andrew and Adele said they were
overwhelmed with the generosity and support shown at PickleAID, which
they attended, and thanked everyone involved for their contribution.
Andrew said, “It was a fantastic event, both for
adults and children, and it was so nice to be able to talk to so many of
Adam’s friends who had given so much to make the event work.
“Although tinged with sadness it was a really fun
afternoon and evening. We were able to talk with many of Adam’s and our
own friends, some of whom we had not seen for many years. In addition we
talked to many people who had never met Adam but had heard about the
campaign and came along to give us their support.
“We offer our thanks to the musicians who gave their
time so generously and of course to Katie, Matt and Neil who have put in
so much effort to help over the last few weeks. We now just need Adam to
wake up so that we can tell him all about it.”
Star prizes that attracted big auction bids at
PickleAID included the international shirt of rugby world cup winner Ben
Kay, which raised ฃ500.
Fundraisers hope their continuing efforts will ease
the financial burden placed on Adam and his family, which to date has
reached ฃ123,000.
Mr and Mrs Pickles have re-mortgaged their home and
used retirement savings to try and settle the current bill; but legal
fees, future rehabilitation and adaption costs are likely to carry a
significant and as yet unknown price tag.
Adam’s best friend Neil Clappison said, “Right from
the start of the fundraising I decided it wasn’t fair for Andrew and
Adele to be out of pocket from this horrific attack on their son.
Although Adam is home, this does not mean the bill will stop rising - we
now have extra costs of a legal case in Thailand for example, so there
is still a long way to go.”
Adam, 40, is still in coma but is said to be making
positive progress. The father-of-one has survived two operations and
overcome several fevers and infections during his battle to wake up.
He is currently fighting an infection but is making
stronger movements with his arm, hands and head each day.
To view the website and campaign video visit: www.
donatetoadam.org
To view the Facebook page visit:
www.facebook.com/groups/adampickles
Youngsters enjoy the
day during PickleAID in Kirkstall UK. (Copyright Melissa Connolly @
melissaphotography.co.uk)
