IT will be a massive step for him up to 40 times over.

Motorbike crash victim Wayne Howard will take part in a "sponsored step" on Friday by attempting to walk up to 40 steps.

The 37-year-old suffered severe brain damage and lost his right leg when he was involved in a near-fatal motorbike crash six years ago.

With the support of his family and friends, who have set up a charity to help people with brain injuries, called The Wayne Howard Trust, Wayne is slowly relearning some of life's basic skills.

The former Manx GP rider is able to walk and stand without being held by other people thanks to a piece of specialist equipment.

Upweighting system It is this "upweighting system" that he uses at the Therapeutics Centre in Eastleigh which will help him to carry out his sponsored step.

Money raised from the event, to be held at Therapeutics in Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh, will go towards St Mary's Children's Unit in Portsmouth and The Wayne Howard Trust.

Wayne's mother Isobel, 60, said: "He is doing the steps himself while the upweighter supports his weight.

"It's a massive step for him to take one step, let alone 15 steps or 40.

"It's easy to take walking for granted but there is a lot of brain work in taking steps.

"Physically Wayne is very well. He is still making progress six years after the accident."

Wayne is cared for by his partner Tracy Goodwin at their home in Porlock Road, Millbrook, where they live with their three children Jayd, 13, Jordan, 12, and nine-year-old Connor.

As part of his rehabilitation Wayne has received pioneering treatment made possible by Daily Echo readers, who raised £25,000 to pay for his stay at the renowned Schmieder Clinic in Germany.

Rehabilitation It was during his stay that he was fitted with a prosthetic leg and underwent weeks of therapy to rebuild his muscles.

The Wayne Howard Trust has a charity shop in Church Street, Shirley, and a website at www.thewaynehowardtrust.co.uk.