Trust fund boost for injured Manx rider Jonny Bellis

An Isle of Man cycle club has set up a trust fund for Jonny Bellis, the young Saxo Bank rider who was badly injured in a scooter crash in Italy.

Members of the Manx Road Club are helping with the 21-year-old's £10,000-a-month bill at the Wellington Hospital in London, where he is undergoing extensive rehabilitation.

Doctors say his treatment at the hospital, which specialises in treating patients who have suffered serious head injuries, is vital if he is to make a swift and full recovery.

Club chairman Bill Ward told the BBC: "Everyone wants to see Jonny fit and well and we hope this will help. He is a fantastic cyclist and a real ambassador for the Isle of Man.”

He continued: "We are giving out sponsor forms to anyone who wants to raise money for the fund which will go towards covering the costs of his medical treatment.

"Everyone involved in cycling in the Isle of Man looks forward to the day when we can see Jonny back on his bike and the aim of the trust fund is make that day happen as soon as possible."

Bellis represented Great Britain at the Beijing Olympics and was on the shortlist for the UCI World Championships team when he was involved in the accident last September near the GB training base in Quarrata.