Dan Richards Rehabilitation

Hello, firstly thank you for taking the time to visit our page. My name is Anna and I’m Dan’s partner. Some of you may have heard by now that Dan had a freak accident on New Year’s Eve at our beloved Langland Bay, while trying to end the year with a cold water sea dip. The accident occurred when simply diving into a wave, being a keen surfer this is something he’s done hundreds of times before. Dan knew straight away something was wrong and luckily a wave turned him so he was able to call for help. Then myself, our friend and my Mum were able to pull him from the sea realising he was not able to move his arms or legs.

Dan was airlifted to Bristol Southmead Hospital straight off the beach, for lifesaving treatment. Thankfully he’s now more stable and back closer to home in Morriston Hospital, where we are awaiting his transfer to a long term rehabilitation facility. However, as a result of this accident Dan has been left paralysed from the neck down, which we are all trying to come to terms with.

The aim of this fundraising effort is to support Dan in this journey and give him the best quality of life possible; including helping him continue to be the best dad for his 3 year old daughter Hailey. The NHS rehab can only go so far and we know this journey is going to be life long for Dan and the people closest to him.

We don’t know what recovery will look like, but we are hopeful and it’s this hope along with Dan’s determination and positivity that’s keeping us all going.

We have been made aware of a private rehabilitation provider in Bristol, who will be able to further his recovery post NHS rehab. As you can imagine, there will be significant costs that need to be covered; the rehab itself, travel, & adaptations to enable Dan to access his own home eventually. Dan has always been a hard worker, priding himself on his strong values about helping others. The financial security he had worked so hard to get will not be possible for him to maintain. Any support that will help contribute to Dan’s ability to access the best rehabilitation to meet his needs and alleviate financial worries, helping Dan on this journey to a better quality of life will be hugely appreciated.

Dan is loved by so many, and we all know how strong and independent he is, but this isn't a journey he can go on alone.