FUNDRAISERS made a splash during a charity event in aid of ‘locked-in’ Ken Longstaff.

A swimathon held at the Education Village in Haughton today (Sunday, Jan 25) was organised in a bid to support the Darlington man and his family.

In 2012, Mr Longstaff was struck down with a debilitating neurological condition that left him almost completely paralysed.

After spending more than two years in hospital, he has been forced to move into a nursing home for dementia patients as he waits for his family home to be adapted for his needs.

Although Mr Longstaff and his family believe regular physiotherapy is vital to recovery, he was discharged from Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital without the support of a physiotherapist.

Scores of swimmers took to the water today in a bid to help Mr Longstaff to buy a MOTOmed – an exercise bike that will allow him to keep his muscles active.

Today’s sponsored swim and a charity night taking place on Wednesday, January 28 were organised to raise both funds and awareness of Guillan Barre Syndrome.

The Longstaff family are also appealing for help with physiotherapy and wheelchair accessible transport.

A fundraising party will take place at The Keys in Darlington from 9pm on Wednesday and will feature a raffle and auction.

Tickets are £10 and available from the venue as well as from The Northern Echo offices and Voodoo Cafe.

To make donations, visit gofundme.com/ahcsac.