MIRACLE man Richard Ford is fighting back after a brain stem stroke left him completely paralysed.

Dad-of-three Richard, 42, of Holmbridge , has confounded doctors by his recovery.

Police officer Richard was left ‘locked in’ after the severe stroke on June 9 last year.

Now, almost 12 months later, he has movement in all his limbs and can stand and walk a few steps with support.

Richard, who gets out and about in a wheelchair, will thank all those who have helped his recovery when he appears at a Sportsman’s Dinner in his honour on June 7.

Richard’s wife Jude, 41, said doctors were amazed at his recovery.

“Our own doctor calls Richard a miracle. He says people just don’t recover from the severity of stroke Richard had. The doctors are just in awe.”

Richard, who has three sons Harry, eight, Oscar, five, and three-year-old Archie, was a super-fit marathon runner when he collapsed suddenly at home after a family day out.

Richard underwent life-saving surgery at Leeds General Infirmary but his brain had been starved of oxygen for eight hours and he was left conscious but unable to move. He could only communicate by blinking.

Slowly but surely Richard’s condition improved and he was finally allowed home in March.

Now he has regular physiotherapy and movement is gradually returning.

“The doctors have written him off a million times and no-one will give a prognosis but as long as there is progress there is hope,” said Jude.

“In physio Richard can stand with a frame and walk with assistance.

“He no longer needs to be spoon-fed and we can eat as a family. He loves takeaways like curries and pizza.

“He has a computer to communicate but his speech is developing very slowly and sometimes I can understand what he is saying without the computer.

“Now we can get him on his feet he is feeling much more normal.”

The Richard Ford Trust has been set up to raise funds and a Sportsman’s Dinner at the John Smith’s Stadium sold all 300 tickets in a matter of days.

Former Leeds, Everton and Chelsea football star Duncan McKenzie will be the after-dinner speaker while local comedian Pete Emmett will be the compere for the event.

There will also be an inspirational talk from stroke patient Kate Allatt, of Sheffield, who made a full recovery from ‘locked in’ syndrome.

A mountain of prizes has been donated for a raffle and auction.

These range from a flight in a Gipsy Moth aircraft to a day out with Sky Sports rugby league, weekends away in the country to sought-after tickets for Royal Ascot.

Signed sporting memorabilia has come from former Town players Andy Booth and Jonathan Stead and big stars including Gareth Bale, Michael Owen and Fernando Torres.

Jude said: “Life has changed but we have just got on with things.

“Richard can now communicate with friends by email and Facebook but this event will be good for him socially.”

More prizes are needed and anyone who would like to donate an item or find out more about the auction can email organiser John Lee at lynette4003@gmail.com.