COLLEGE students and staff got their walking boots on to raise funds to help a colleague on to the road to recovery following a road smash.

Aaron McKean, 18, a student from the uniformed services course at Derwentside College, in Consett, was having a gap year out of college when he was involved in the accident.

He suffered broken ribs and back and head injuries and was at the Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary for a month before being discharged to recover at home in Castleside.

The students intend to give Aaron silver membership for the Lifestyle Fitness Suite at Belle Vue Leisure Centre, at Consett. This will enable him to recover the body mass that he has lost and to regain his fitness. It can be also be used at the Consett swimming baths.

They walked 30 miles from Consett along the Derwent.