On what should have been an ordinary day outside his family home, my 52 year-old friend Neil Ridgway was securing a bin on the back of his ute so as it was safe to take to the refuse depot—something he’d done many times before. In a split second, everything changed. A passing construction truck with an attached trailer struck him, crushing him between the two vehicles. The impact didn’t end there. Neil was dragged and run over by the trailer, causing catastrophic injuries that have altered his life in ways no one can prepare for.

Neil survived the accident, but the cost has been devastating.

He was rushed with life threatening injuries to the GCUH where he spent the first 4 weeks having to date 7 surgeries including 5 blood transfusions with more surgeries ahead. His right elbow required 3 surgeries to be reconstructed, right arm required 2 rotator cuff tendon repairs. His right knee had 4 ligaments torn as well as a meniscus tear. So far he is wheelchair-bound after 2 ligaments have been repaired, another knee surgery is planned for early 2026. This together with multiple large lacerations which had to be stitched with skin grafts the most recent surgery.

Neil still has un diagnosed symptoms being no right arm Auxiliary Nerve function and right hand compressed ulnar nerve. This leaves his dominant right arm unusable, which is his biggest concern moving forward.

He is fighting every day to be positive and heal but is currently unable to walk and every day is filled with a rolla coaster of emotions. The man who once worked hard to support his family now faces a long, uncertain path—physically, emotionally, and financially.

Before the accident, Neil was a hands-on worker, proud of what he did and proud to provide for his family. Now, he is unable to return to his job, and is exhausting all leave available which is adding to the financial strain. His wife, spending every minute going between work and the hospital while he was there, with parking alone costing over $1000 at the hospital, now home until the next surgery is his primary support—driving him to medical appointments, helping with daily tasks, and being by his side through every difficult moment. But being there for Neil has come at a cost mentally, physically and financially: using all her annual leave, leaving work for appointments or going home during the day when needed, and now every hour she takes to care for her husband means lost wages for the family.

They are doing everything they can to stay positive, but the financial pressure is becoming overwhelming. Medical appointments, rehabilitation sessions, transport, mobility equipment, home adjustments, and everyday costs continue to grow. Income, however, is shrinking.

Neil has always been someone who would step in to help anyone in need. Now, for the first time, he is the one who needs help.

This fundraiser has been created because Neil and his family cannot face this journey alone. Your support—no matter how small—will help relieve the crushing mental strain of financial pressure and allow Neil to concentrate fully on the treatment and rehabilitation he needs. It will also support his wife in being there for him without the fear of losing more income. Neil relies on her and needs her there by his side as much as possible.

Neil’s life changed in an instant at no fault of his own. With your help, his future doesn’t have to be defined by this tragedy.

Neil is the sort of guy who would give you the shirt off his back. He has helped me as his neighbour plenty of times when I needed it. If you’re able to donate or share their story, you will be making an immeasurable difference to a family doing their best to survive the hardest chapter of their lives.