IPSWICH: When a police officer knocked on Lynne Cole’s door informing her that her son had been seriously injured her world turned upside down.

On June 17 last year, Ryan Land, who is now 23, was left with extensive brain damage after his car aquaplaned off a road and struck a tree.

But today Mrs Cole is looking to the future and aiming to raise �5,000 to aid Ryan’s recovery.

Ryan, whose young son was just six months old at the time of the crash, was travelling along Assington Road after spending a day working in Sudbury.

Emergency services scrambled to the scene and after being released from the wreckage, Ryan was flown to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge where he was to remain for the next three months.

Today, his mum, and stepdad, Rob, are hoping to aid Ryan’s rehabilitation by organising a charity event to raise money to buy vital equipment.

“It was the worst day of my life when that police officer came to my door and told me,” said Mrs Cole, 50.

“I will never forget it. When we got to Addenbrooke’s we were told he had suffered a serious brain injury but being in that hospital I knew he had the best care I could ever ask for.

“He had the most specialist care there and while there he also had a tracheotomy to help with his breathing.

“After three months he was moved to Ipswich Hospital, who were also amazing. They helped him to learn to breath on his own and removed the tracheotomy.”

From there Ryan went to Coleman Hospital in Norwich, a specialist rehabilitation unit, where he spent a further three months before being transferred to the The Chantry Sue Ryder Care Home six weeks ago.

Later this month, gym-goers are set to compete in a strongman competition, to help raise �5,000 to buy a piece of specialist equipment to help Ryan’s recovery.

The Motoped, which is a bike which would attach on to Ryan’s wheelchair, will help to increase his rehabilitation and help his mobility.

Mrs Cole, who lives off Foxhall Road, said all patients at Sue Ryder would benefit from it.

She added: “A few of the people who go to the gym and know Ryan wanted to help out with a fundraising event to get this piece of equipment.

“We don’t know what the future holds for Ryan but we hope this could help.”

n Are you raising money for a worthy cause? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or send an e-mail to starletters@archant.co.uk