FRIENDS and family of a scaffolder who was critically injured in the Manchester Arena terror attack are taking on a cycle challenge to raise money to help his recovery.

Phil Hassall, from Runcorn, required several operations, including surgery on his brain, after suicide bomber Salman Abedi killed 22 people and seriously injured dozens more at an Ariana Grande gig on May 22.

The former St Chad’s Catholic and CE High School pupil was at the concert with his daughter Amber, his partner Rachel Hughes and her daughter.

His uncle Stephen Graven said Phil is now out of hospital and the community is ‘pulling together’ to help him recover from his injuries.

“Everybody wants to help,” said Stephen, 62.

“All the family have been very worried. It was such a big shock.

“But at the end of the day you could say he was one of the lucky ones – it is such a sad thing that happened.

“He is out of hospital and is walking on crutches.

“He has had a couple of operations because he had a bad leg and shrapnel on his brain, but he is recovering very well.

“When he was in hospital we didn’t know how he was going to end up. He was out cold.”

Now Stephen is planning to cycle from the Bridge View Club in Runcorn to Manchester Arena and back with four of his five children and his wife.

Lots of friends, and even strangers, will be joining him for the fundraising challenge on September 16.

He said the journey of around 57 miles will take roughly three hours each way and when the group arrives at the Manchester Arena they will pay their respects to those who lost their lives with a minute’s silence.

When the riders return to Runcorn they will attend a charity event organised by the Bridge View Club, with entertainment from The Odds and a DJ.

Stephen added: “The community is pulling together in its own way and I am amazed.

“I just mentioned doing a bike ride to Manchester Arena and it took off.

“We are hoping to raise a few quid for Phil. He is out of work now because of his injuries and is focusing on getting better.

“We want to do the sponsored cycle to help him out.”

For more information, or to get involved, visit the ‘Riding for Phil Hassall’ Facebook page.