A LITTLE Sutton student suffered devastating injuries after falling from a balcony.
Twenty-year-old Leo Gould, of Berwick Road, fell from a first-floor balcony at his student accommodation at Swansea University in March, resulting in a serious physical and brain injury. The former Ellesmere Port Catholic High School pupil was given just a 5% chance of survival.
His condition has now stabilised, but it will be six months before doctors can give his devastated family any long-term prognosis.
There are plans to move Leo, an ex-Cheshire Jets Junior player, to Liverpool’s Walton Neurological Hospital when he is ready for the journey.
Popular among his student body, friends in Swansea have rearranged a magnetic sign above a cafe to read ‘get well Leo’ and back in Ellesmere Port a fund has been set up to raise money, either to donate to the hospital that has cared for him or to help with any care he may need in the future.
Leo, who also attended Cheshire Jets camps with brother and England international John, was at the time president of the university basketball club in his second year of a three-year chemical engineering course.
Staff at North Wales Police, where his father Steve had recently retired, have raised £685 through a collection and at the Cheshire Jets BBL play-off quarter-final against Worcester Wolves on Sunday, more than £500 was raised and there will be another collection this Sunday at the Newcastle Eagles game.
Ben Thomas is one of the friends trying to raise money for Leo, and he has organised an event at Whitby Sports and Social Club on June 23 to boost the fund, featuring bands A41, Take the Leap and Last Baron, plus DJ Ste Macmillan of CDS entertainment.
“Leo was the best guy I ever met,” said Ben.
“No-one would ever have a bad word to say about him. It’s so sad what has happened and it proves it can happen to anyone.”
There is also a bag pack arranged at Morrisons for June 2.
Anyone who would like to make a donation or get involved with any fundraising activity for Leo can email ben_thomas_11@hotmail.com.
