FRIENDS are rallying to help a farmer whose arm was ripped off in a ‘harrowing’ freak accident.
Andy Webster was bailing hay on his farm in Eathorpe when he slipped and was pulled into a large machine.
Luckily the 44-year-old was not alone and his colleague managed to stop the hay bailing machine otherwise Andy could have died.
He underwent hours of surgery at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire – where he is still undergoing treatment – but his arm could not be saved.
Family friend Alison Miles told the Observer: “This was a harrowing and gut-wrenching ordeal. Being so badly injured, and despite several hours of surgery, the arm could not be saved and Andy now faces life as an amputee.
“Yet the blessing we are all thankful for is how incredibly lucky he is to have survived with his life.”
And his friends are hoping to raise £10,000 to enable the ‘loveable and inimitable’ farmer chance to recuperate from his injury and buy a prosthetic arm before returning to work.
In less than 24 hours more than £1,500 had been donated.
Alison says the money is much needed as Andy’s wife Angie has Multiple Sclerosis.
She added: “Andy supports them both and is so worried about losing it all.
“He’s keen to return to work as soon as possible and will not accept defeat no matter what life throws at him. Even under these unimaginable circumstances to have found inner strength to just get on with it as he always does is truly inspirational.
“He is one of a kind and a real trooper to the core, working all hours and weathers to help others in need.
“Let’s do all we can to help him deal with this debilitating and life changing disability.”
Visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/poweroffriends to donate and www.facebook.com/eathorpeandy for regular updates on Andy’s progress.
A charity auction is also being held to raise money at his local pub, The Red Lion in Hunningham on Friday August 2 from 6.30pm.
