AN appeal has been launched to help a man left badly injured following a skiing accident.

Gilles Guichard, from Brighton, is being treated in France after falling and damaging his spine.

The 49-year-old needs intensive physiotherapy to help get him moving again but his family need to raise the money to cover the cost.

Mr Guichard is originally from France but left the country when he was in his 20s and therefore has not paid enough taxes in his home country that would pay for his therapy.

His travel insurance has covered emergency hospital treatment and travel but does not include physio.

Doctors feel he is not strong enough at the moment to travel back to England.

Mr Guichard’s family in France are planning to pay for therapy once he is discharged from hospital but it is expected to run into thousands of euros.

His husband Johny Baker, 50, is currently back home in Woodingdean, where the couple run Johny’s Wares, to oversee the business and keep things ticking over.

The couple are popular in Woodingdean and when customers heard about Mr Guichard’s accident they wanted to do what they could to help.

Mr Baker said: “We went to France for a skiing holiday to celebrate my 50th birthday.

“Gilles had his accident on the last day. He was knocked off his feet by an unexpected gust of wind and somehow damaged himself. He just couldn’t move.”

Mr Guichard was airlifted to hospital where doctors discovered he could not properly move his legs or arms.

However he is responded to treatment so medics are concentrating on giving him at least three months of physiotherapy to help him regain some movement and strength before going through an operation.

Mr Baker said: “He is a fighter and is very positive. He managed to take his first steps this week with a frame but is struggling to do things like feed himself.

“Obviously I want to be with him but he has family there and I have to keep things going here at the moment.”

The couple have run the shop in Woodingdean for five years.

Mr Baker said: “Everyone loves Gilles around here. He is very friendly and puts everyone before himself.

“We need to get him back on his feet so he can come home again.”

To make a donation, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/JohnysWares.