How selfless trio have

A MASSIVE stroke left Holmbridge man Richard Ford completely paralysed.

But the courage he has shown ever since that terrible moment he collapsed in June 2012 to now is inspirational to everyone who meets him.

For not only has he battled back to become a family man again, he has done sponsored events to raise money for charity and has even set up his own community project.

Richard, 47, was a detective working in Huddersfield, a dad of three boys and a junior football coach for Hepworth United when he suffered the brain stem stroke that was so severe doctors did not think he would survive. He did but was locked like a prisoner inside his own body, unable to move anything other than his eyes and could only communicate by blinking.

He was in hospital for nine months and the recovery since has been slow and steady, and he now uses an electric wheelchair full-time.

In June 2016 he was given a Labrador assistance dog called Maggie from the charity Dogs For Good. Richard immediately wanted to give something back to the charity and so the family has collected at supermarkets, shopping centres and garden centres. Richard also did a sponsored walk which brought in £750.

Last March Richard learned of a project run by Disability Sport Yorkshire called Opening Doors Kirklees to set up community groups and Richard volunteered to set up a group called Square Pegs at St David’s Church in Holmbridge which is for people who are lonely, suffer from anxiety, depression or a mental illness or have a physical or learning disability. The group now meets weekly and does everything from quizzes and bingo to trips out.

Richard was nominated by Janet Hoyle, who said: “Members can talk freely about their daily challenges due to their illnesses which breaks down a lot of taboos surrounding what are perceived to be very harrowing conditions.”

She added: “Richard is a remarkable individual who faces incredible daily challenges, but is still able to find the drive and energy to give back to others within his local community.”

Opening Doors project officer Fiona Hall added: “Richard wants to encourage people to get out and has put himself forward and in the spotlight to demonstrate that, with support, it is possible to overcome fears, difficulties and find worthwhile activities.”

Richard is married to Jude and they have three sons, Harry, 13, Oscar, 10 and eight-year-old Archie.