Port Macquarie angler Michael O'Brien is fighting to recover from severe spinal injuries and be well enough to attend his own fundraising night.
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The fundraiser to assist his road to wellness is being organised by the local fishing community.
The local larrikin and former carpenter was involved in a life-altering boating accident on April 14.
The accident broke his back at the T9 vertebrae and impacted the use of his legs.
Since the accident Mr O'Brien has been undertaking three hour daily rehabilitation gym sessions at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, with the goal of walking again.
Mr O'Brien's cousin and fundraising organiser in Sydney, Ben Archer, said it is a serious injury to overcome and an even larger goal to regain the use of his legs.
"He's doing really well, his mental strength and positive attitude are second to none," said Mr Archer.
"If you didn't see the chair that he sits in, you wouldn't know any different because he's just the same old bloke.
"Considering his injuries, nothing is slowing him down and he's working extremely hard in the gym.
"This rehabilitation is something he will continue with the rest of his life. Using the dream of walking again he'll power on and do everything he can to achieve that.
"Rehabilitation wise, we need to raise as much as we can.
"We are just getting Mick back to where he was in life because the bills keep coming in regardless."
The Mid-North Coast fishing community has stepped in to help with a Spinal Road 2 Recovery auction night to be held at Settlers Inn Hotel on October 12.
Mr O'Brien originally joined the Hastings District Fishing Club as a junior and would later earn himself a national title in the sport.
He also developed a passion for game fishing, joining the Port Macquarie Game Fishing Club and placing well in their Golden Lure tournaments.
A committee has been established by Mr Archer, Grant and Lyn Lugg, Jason Isaac, Rikki and Kodi Baird to organise donations for Mr O'Brien.
Kodi Baird, a lifetime friend of Mr O'Brien, said Mid-North Coast residents are pushing to help their mate in recovery.
"There's not a better guy to hold a fundraiser for. He's the type of guy to give you the shirt off his back," said Mr Baird.
"He's doing everything he can to rehabilitate in Sydney and spend time with his daughter Lacinda.
"The community has been amazing in donating items for the auction because everyone knows Mick is such a highly respected member of both fishing clubs.
"The biggest goal about the whole thing is that Mick has set his own goal to be there, he's pushing just to get to this event.
"He'll set a goal to walk and I believe he'll do it."
The community has already donated auction items such as a record breaking 220.6kg taxidermy marlin speared by local Travis Corkin, a 2008 World Cup jersey and 2013 grand final team signed Roosters jersey.
Other items include a Greater Western Sydney Giants 2017 signed jersey, two adult Sydney Harbour Bridge climb experiences, a Gold Coast Suns signed AFL jersey and a 2008 signed Queensland Reds jersey.
Musician Chris Rose has donated his time to entertain at the October 12 event.
Rikki Baird said organisers were also spreading donation tins around Port Macquarie and asking residents to dig deep for the cause.
"We've never organised something like this before and the support has been quite overwhelming," said Mr Baird.
"We're trying to get towards a self contained unit built in his parent's backyard specially for him.
"Michael will get the sole benefit."
You can donate HERE or supply an auction item at Ned Kelly's Bait and Tackle shop on Gordon Street in Port Macquarie.
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