A fundraiser has been launched for a teenager who may never walk again.

Matei Tiuraru was cycling down St Catherine’s Hill in Winchester when he hit a ditch and was knocked unconscious.

The 17-year-old from Southampton woke up to find he had no feeling in his legs.

After being found by a passer-by, Matei was taken to Southampton General Hospital where he has remained since the accident on August 4.

Doctors told him it was a ‘miracle’ he survived – but it may be difficult for him to walk again.

His school friend Julia Walczak has set up a fundraiser to pay for specialist treatment.

"Imagine cutting something with a blade, and it was about to fall off and it was just holding onto the edge - that was my spine," Matei said.

Titanium is currently holding his spine together following an operation, but the nerves in his body need to be "activated" to help him walk.

Matei said: “My parents are trying to pay for a special service to activate the nerves in my body, which is what the fundraiser will help pay for.

“My parents will need the money as it’s not a cheap service. It’s an attempt to get my nerves back, and it will be a long process.

“The fundraiser is a nice thing for Julia to do, she’s my best friend.”

Daily Echo: Julia and Matei Julia and Matei (Image: Julia Walczak)

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Friends since Year 7, Julia and Matei met at Cantell School.

Upon hearing the news of Matei’s awful accident, the 17-year-old immediately leapt into action.

She said: “It’s a ticking time bomb.

“The longer he stays lying in bed, the lower the chances of him walking again.

“His family are trying to get him into a specialist centre in Salisbury to help him walk, but the longer he stays lying down the more his nerves will go.

“I set up the fundraiser to help pay for private healthcare as it’s expensive.

“I found out about his accident when I was in Portugal.

“I broke down and looked at flights to come home.

“I want him to be able to walk.”

Daily Echo: Matei in hospital Matei in hospital (Image: Julia Walczak)

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Although Matei’s health is improving, the fate of his ability to walk remains unknown.

He will now have to complete his education at Peter Symonds College virtually. 

Both he and Julia hope the fundraiser, with a target of £5,000, can help him.

Matei said: “I am feeling better, but my body isn’t. I will be in hospital for a long time.

“Doctors told me it was a miracle I survived; it was a million in one chance.

“If I had moved any more on the day of my accident, I would be dead.”

Visit www.gofundme.com/f/help-support-mateis-recovery to donate to Julia’s fundraiser.