A BARRY man left in a coma for two months after a devastating car crash is raising money for those who helped him after making a full recovery.

As the Barry and District News reported back in 2010, Robert Bates was left with life-threatening injuries after the nasty accident in Dinas Powys.

But six years on, he has raised more than £1000 for the brain injury charity headway with a trek from Barry to Tenby.

Mr Bates, now 28, said: "I wanted to give something back to the charity for all the work they have carried out, hence the decision to trek to raise money for the charity."

Mr Bates and his partner Jenny Jones, also 28, began the 127-mile trek on May 18, finishing six days later.

They suffered blistering and exhaustion, but both said they were "determined" to reach the finish line.

"We were absolutely exhausted," Mr Bates added. "But we knew we had to carry on."

The duo said they were elated to accomplish their aim.

Mr Bates said upon completion: "In the beginning nothing could sink in. To actually realise we had completed the task was difficult.

"The highpoint of our trek was finally realising we had finished.

"What we found most moving were people that we didn't even know would come up to us and donate to the cause. It was so moving."

The total sum raised was £1,579.08.

"We didn't think we were going to raise this sum of money - just a few hundred pounds I originally thought," Mr Bates added.

"When I found out the actual sum it had surpassed all my expectation.

The Morrisons worker presented a cheque to Headway on August 16.

He said: "I know the raised sum will be greatly appreciated by the charity."