First published on Wed 12 June 2002: by Gareth Lewis

First published on Wed 10 July 2002: by Guy Woodford

He was welcomed back to the family's home by sons Jayde, 10, Jordan, 8, and Connor, 4, as well as mum Isobel and partner Tracy Goodwin.

Tracy said: "It's so good to have him back. It's not been the same without him."

Big-hearted readers raised £25,000 so Wayne, from Porlock Road, Millbrook, Southampton, could get vital therapy for severe injuries he suffered in a road accident.

Life-loving Wayne was the victim of a motorcycle crash that cost him his right leg and left him in a wheelchair. He also suffered brain damage in the crash, which means he sometimes can't recognise his own children.

When readers heard of his plight through our pages they organised scores of madcap events across the city to raise cash to get him the treatment he needed.

The money paid for Wayne to attend a top brain injury clinic in Germany where doctors used the latest techniques to help restore some of his quality of life.

Wayne had extensive physiotherapy, speech therapy, hydrotherapy and occupational therapy as well as a battery of test to find out just how damaged his body is.

Tracy said he had found the range of intensive treatments gruelling but was inspired to keep on going by a wall full of clippings from the Daily Echo.

"They lifted his spirits and encouraged him to go for it," she said. "They helped him remember all the things that people did for him so he could be there."

German doctors helped fit Wayne with a prosthetic leg and spent weeks gradually rebuilding his muscles in the hope that one day he may be able to stand unaided and possibly even walk with the help of crutches.

He also got some independence back after he was given an electric wheelchair and left to drive around the clinic - an experience the former Manx GP racer relished.

But it has all taken its toll.

Tracy said: "He's exhausted from the therapy because he's been working hard at it, really going for it. He's been given the chance to stand with a prosthetic leg. He found it really difficult to balance - it's all new to him and it's a lot of strain on his left leg but he did well and I know he'll get there. I don't know yet if he will be able to walk with crutches, we are just focusing on standing at the moment."

The clinic in Magdeburg, Germany, was a dream made real for the Howard family by readers and they weren't disappointed once they got there.

THIS is the sight medical experts said would never be seen - but once again courageous Wayne Howard has proved them wrong.

STANDING TALL: Wayne Howard stands with assistance from physiotherapist Ted Lebrocq

The Southampton motorbike crash victim, whose plight has touched the hearts of hundreds of Daily Echo readers, has stood for the first time since his tragic accident.

His partner Tracy Goodwin, 36, has spoken of her delight at seeing Wayne upright following an operation on his foot. With plenty of encouragement, her partner of 12 years found the strength to stand with the help of physiotherapist Ted Lebroqc.

"It was amazing. He stood up and looked Ted right in the eye. He managed to do it twice - it was so fantastic to see.

"It was something they told us he could not do - but the more people tell us we can't do something, the more we are going to try," she said.

The father of three, who was a motorcycle ace who raced in the Manx GP, had his right leg amputated and sustained major brain damage, which sometimes means he can't recognise his three children.

An appeal to raise £25,000 to send Wayne to a clinic in Germany specialising in brain damage is half way towards the target and Tracy hopes Wayne's progress may boost support for the fund.

Beautiful way of fundraising

RAISING CASH: Make-up artist Maxine Baker works on Sue Stubbs to raise money for the Wayne Howard Appeal.

A DAY of charity makeovers raised £180 for the Daily Echo-backed Wayne Howard Appeal.

Talented beautician Maxine Baker donated her services for free in the foyer of the Marks & Spencer store in Hedge End.

"It went really well," said Maxine. "We were just doing eye shadow and lipstick but the women all liked it - everyone was pleased and went off with smiles on their faces. Men, too, were coming up and just putting money in the bucket."

Wayne Howard is a father-of-three from Southampton who lost his right leg in a road accident. He also suffered brain damage in the smash, which can be treated by a specialist German clinic but at a price - £25,000 - which is where the appeal comes in.

l To donate to the Wayne Howard Appeal send cheques or postal orders (please do not send cash) to The Wayne Howard Appeal, 16 Railway Cottages, Tate Road, Old Redbridge, Southampton, SO15 0NL.

To organise a fundraising event please send your ideas to the same address and contact Gareth Lewis at the Daily Echo on 023 8042 4499.

First published on Wed 10 July 2002: by Guy Woodford

First published on Wed 12 June 2002: by Gareth Lewis

THE DAILY Echo-backed Wayne Howard Appeal has received a £1,500 helping hand from Southampton's Northam Boxing and Fitness Club.

Eighteen youngsters hammered their hearts out in a 12-hour punch bag marathon to raise the cash for brain damaged accident victim Wayne Howard.

Club organiser and 1997s southern counties welterweight boxing champion Wayne Batten was proud of the work put in by the boys.

He said: "It was a superb effort. It was hard work - harder than I thought it would be. I have done a lot of boxing but 12 hours is tough. But it was all for a good cause."

He was spurred into fundraising action after reading about Wayne Howard's plight in the Daily Echo.

He said: "I wanted to do it because of the article I read in the paper. It really moved me. I was choked."

Wayne Howard's mum Isobel went to watch and was impressed with the boys' dedication. She said: "They were so enthusiastic, punching away and they have done amazingly. They worked so hard and all off their own back. I was very impressed.

"Wayne loved anything to do with the gym and he's got a lot of respect for these guys."

Father-of-three Wayne Howard was a keen motorcyclist who raced in the Manx GP before losing his leg in a road accident. The smash also left him with brain damage, which means he sometimes can't recognise his children.

A specialist German clinic can help him regain some quality of life but at a price - £25,000, which is where the appeal comes in.

To donate to the Wayne Howard Appeal, send cheques or postal orders (please do not send cash) to The Wayne Howard Appeal, 16 Railway Cottages, Tate Road, Old Redbridge, Southampton, SO15 0NL. To organise a fundraising event please send your ideas to the same address. Or contact Gareth Lewis at the Daily Echo on 023 8042 4499.

Your DAILY ECHO is today backing a major new community campaign to send a brain-damaged father-of-three to Germany for vital treatment.

Wayne Howard, 34, was a super-fit martial arts expert and top class amateur motorcyclist who raced in the Isle of Man Manx GP before a horrific biking accident robbed him of his health.

Wayne hit the windscreen of a car in the smash, severely damaging his brain. He also had to have his right leg amputated and has no sensation in his right arm following the tragedy.

Wayne, who is now wheelchair-bound, has difficulty speaking, has lost much of his memory and is often unable to recognise his children.

Partner Tracy Goodwin, 35, of Porlock Road, Millbrook, Southampton, who is the mother of their three children - Jayd, 10, Jordan, 8 and Connor, 4, said: "He was the most sociable guy before - the sort who would go out on his own and come back with lots of new friends. He had a zest for life.

"It is hard knowing what he was like and the life he has now. The kids are pretty good with it. They know he has memory problems. Even the four-year-old has gone to him and said `hello dad, I'm Connor. I am your youngest son'.

"They have coped with it brilliantly. First of all we had `when is dad's leg going to grow back?' but now they have accepted the reality."

Now Wayne, a former painter and decorator, needs £25,000 worth of treatment at Germany's renowned Shmeider Clinic, which specialises in brain damage, and the Daily Echo is backing the campaign to help him get there.

Tracy, who cares for Wayne and the family full-time, said: "We decided that Wayne couldn't have that sort of life. Then we saw a programme on TV about the Shmeider Clinic. They showed a lady who had been in a coach crash and was in a vegetative state - worse than Wayne. Her partner sent her to the clinic. First thing they did was to get her on her feet. Then they wire you up to a machine to read your brain patterns.

"We are hoping that there will be a positive impact - anything to get his brain to react. There is no miracle cure, it is just to get more of a life for him. I am hoping it will improve his quality of life - we don't have a lot of life at the moment. Anything the clinic finds he reacts to positively is something we can continue with at home."

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Word of the family's plight has already spread and people across the city are organising an array of sponsored events to help the family hit their fundraising target and Daily Echo readers can help, too.

Readers who want to get involved can send donations to The Wayne Howard Appeal Fund, 16 Railway Cottages, Tate Road, Old Redbridge, Southampton, SO15 0NL. Cheques should be made payable to The Wayne Howard Appeal Fund - please do not send cash.

Readers who want to organise fundraising events to help Wayne get to Germany should contact Isobel Howard on 07986 352532.

If you're holding an event to raise cash for the appeal let us know.

Contact Gareth Lewis on 023 8042 4499 or e-mail using the link above.

First published on Tues 21 May 2002: by Gareth Lewis

A NINE-year-old girl was so touched by the story of brain-damaged Southampton father-of-three Wayne Howard she sold her own toys to help him.

Caring Heather Ghanouni, of Alfred Street, Southampton, organised a table-top sale at St Mary's Church where she sold her own things as well as donated items and cakes baked by her 12-year-old sister Amber.

The sale raised £40, which Heather split between the Daily Echo-backed Wayne Howard Appeal and the World Wildlife Fund for Nature.

Heather said she felt for Wayne and his family. "When I heard about what happened to Wayne it made me feel sad because he's got three children and I have a dad, so I know what it would feel like." she said.

Wayne's partner Tracy Goodwin, 35, was delighted with Heather's help with the campaign.

She said: "It was brilliant. When kids get involved in the appeal you just can't believe it. It is heart-warming to know people care so much about Wayne."

Wayne was a daredevil motorcyclist and martial arts expert before a cruel biking accident severely damaged his brain. Afterwards he also had to have his right leg amputated. The accident has also affected his memory so he is sometimes unable to recognise his own children, Jayd, 10, Jordan, 8, and Connor, 4.

The family are praying a German clinic specialising in treating brain damage sufferers can make a vital difference to Wayne and their quality of life. But the treatment costs £25,000, which is where the Daily Echo- backed Wayne Howard Appeal comes in.

• Daily Echo readers who want to offer a helping hand can send donations to the Wayne Howard Appeal Fund, 16 Railway Cottages, Tate Road, Old Redbridge, Southampton, SO15 0NL. Cheques should be made payable to the Wayne Howard Appeal. Please do not send cash.

Readers who want to organise fundraising events should contact Wayne's mum, Isobel, on 07986 352532. If you are holding an event, please let us know - contact Gareth Lewis on 023 8042 4499 or e-mail using the link above.

First published on Sat 01 June 2002: by Gareth Lewis

THE DAILY Echo-backed Wayne Howard Appeal is hitting the big time after members of Northam Fitness Club volunteered to hold a 24-hour punchbag marathon to raise money.

In total, 25 members of the club's boxing section will hammer away at the punchbag for an entire day in a bid to raise more than £1,000 for the appeal.

The youngsters, together with some senior club members, will pummel their hearts out on two punchbags, non-stop for 12 hours, effectively notching up a 24-hour total.

1997 Southern Counties Boxing Champion Wayne Batten, 30, is organising the marathon, which is taking place at Northam School, Southampton, on Saturday. He said: "The reason I want to do this is that I was reading the Daily Echo and it touched me. I have two children myself and I felt I had to do something to help."

"It's a shocking story. It is hard for him to recognise his own children and that must be unbearable, so I really wanted to do something. I know what it's like to raise money - it's hard, but I am looking to raise at least £1,000 and hopefully more."

Father-of-three Wayne Howard, 34, was a martial arts practitioner and an ace motorcyclist before a road accident confined him to a wheelchair. Wayne had to have his right leg amputated after the accident and sustained major brain damage, which means he is sometimes unable to recognise his own children.

A German clinic specialising in treating brain damage may be able to improve Wayne's quality of life. The Wayne Howard Appeal Fund was begun to raise the £25,000 needed to pay for his treatment.

• To donate to the Wayne Howard Appeal, send cheques or postal orders (please do not send cash) made out to The Wayne Howard Appeal Fund, to: Appeal, 16 Railway Cottages, Tate Road, Old Redbridge, Southampton, SO15 0NL.

To organise a fundraising event please send your ideas to the same address and contact Gareth Lewis at the Daily Echo on 023 8042 4499.