Pitching in with support for student

Dec 3 2009 by Brian Aitken, The Journal

ASTUDENT who suffered serious injuries when he tumbled down a flight of steps more than two years ago has had his recovery boosted by Sunderland boss Steve Bruce.

Peter Wake, now 22, was found unconscious at the bottom of concrete steps in a side street leading to Grape Lane, near the Elm Tree pub in Durham city.

He suffered serious head injuries which left him needing constant medical care after the fall during a night out on November 21, 2007.

The popular third-year history student at St John’s College, Durham University, a keen rower, is now classed as stable but is unable to function independently and needs constant care.

A website run by his family, www.peterwake.org.uk, provides regular updates on his condition and fundraising for the trust set up in his name.

And the family revealed how Mr Wake, a keen Sunderland supporter despite being brought up in New Malden, Surrey, follows the fortunes of the Black Cats on the radio.

They wrote: “Sincere thanks to manager Steve Bruce, the players and staff at Sunderland Football Club, especially Ged McNamee of the academy, for their messages of support and gifts to Peter of a signed photograph and team shirt. Their generosity is much appreciated by Pete.”

Mr Wake had been out with friends in Durham on the fateful night before he was found, leaving the Love Shack bar in the Claypath area just after midnight.

He was then seen on the city centre CCTV cameras crossing Milburngate Bridge before going out of view at six minutes past the hour in the direction of the roundabout at the top of North Road.

When he was found by a passer-by the following day he was around 30 yards from his student accommodation in Allergate.

At the time he sustained his injuries Mr Wake was a 20 -year old student at Durham University in his third and final year, studying ancient, medieval and modern history.