A FUNDRAISING event will be held next month to raise cash to send the victim of a car crash on a family holiday.

Michael McCann, 37, who suffered severe head injuries during a car accident on June 6, which killed his friend Matthew Styles, is in the rehabilitation unit at the Great Western Hospital.

Mr McCann, of Abbey Meads, has begun to walk and talk again. Family and friends want to send him, fiance Diana Tearall and their two children, Ilena, two, and 19-week-old, Micky, on holiday.

"I think a holiday will be really important for Michael because he has spent so much time on his own and has become a bit institutionalised," said Miss Tearall.

To raise the cash an Irish evening will be held at the Manor pub, Cheney Manor Road, on September 2, starting at 7.30pm. As well as live music there will be an auction and raffle and Michael's sister Olivia wants local businesses to donate prizes.

She said: "We've been quite successful but we want businesses to donate things like hotel rooms and meals."

Meanwhile, fitness enthusiast Garry Drewitt is gearing up for a fundraising run in memory of Michael's 10-year-old nephew Mitchell who died in June after a car hit him on Queens Drive on his bike.

Mr Drewitt, of Welcombe Avenue, who is a close friend of Mitchell's mum, Tina, aims to run 40 miles on a treadmill in nine hours at Cannon's health club, Swindon, next Monday.

To support the "40 miles for Mitchell" run visit the health club between 7am and 4pm, or to make a donation to the auction and raffle phone 01793 338947.