A man was left paralysed for life after a freak accident at a trampoline park.
Matthew Gaynon, 29, landed on his head while doing a flip and damaged his spinal cord - leaving him paralysed from the waist down and unable to walk again.
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Hairdresser Matthew said: "A random little trip that was meant to be fun has changed my life forever.
"When they told me that I would never walk again I just broke down.
"I knew something wasn't right the moment I hit my head.
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"I was laid on the trampoline and I just couldn't move anything but my arms. It was terrifying."
Now, Matthew's friends have launched a GoFundMe page, aiming to raise £20,000 to buy a specialised wheelchair that will allow him to stand up and cut hair again.
Matthew, from Openshaw, Manchester, visited the trampoline park on a last-minute whim with a friend in August.
He said: "I'd never been trampolining before so I just thought I would go with them for something to do and a bit of fun.
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"I never in my life imagined I would be leaving in an ambulance.
"I tried to do a flip and ended up landing on my head where the springs were.
"I knew instantly that something was wrong. I just didn't know where my body was and my arms were tingling.
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"My friend was filming it and laughing because she didn't realise I'd hurt myself, but when I told her I couldn't move she called an ambulance."
Matthew was rushed to Salford Infirmary where he underwent a nine-hour surgery to stabilise his arms, chest and back - but when he came around, he was given the devastating news that he would never walk again.
Two weeks later he was transferred to Southport Hospital spinal injuries unit where he started intensive physiotherapy - and is now hopeful he'll be discharged by Christmas.
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Matthew continued: "When they told me I was paralysed I didn't want to speak to anyone for weeks
"I don't think I will ever get my head round what has happened to me but I've got to keep pushing myself on and get as much of my independence back as possible.
"I loved doing hair, I've been doing it for about 13 years so to be able to go to something I love and just have another bit of normality for me would mean the world."
You can donate to the fundraiser here.
Featured Image Credit: Mercury Press