A MAN has spoken of his relief after his seriously injured brother was discharged from hospital in time for Christmas.

The Press reported in May how Patrick Evans took part in the gruelling 112-mile Fred Whitton Challenge bike ride in the Lake District after his brother, Julian, crashed during a training ride and suffered a huge stroke in January.

Patrick, 42, is York City Rowing Club’s captain and took his brother’s place in the race to raise funds for the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

He completed the race and raised £1,300 for the charity in the process.

Julian, 46, from Darlington, spent 11 months in Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.

He has now been discharged to be reunited with his family.

Damage caused to his neck saw him suffer a major stroke while in hospital and doctors were forced to remove part of his skull to ease swelling on his brain.

“Julian is trying to get on with his life again,” said Patrick.

York Press:

“He is back home with his wife and kids, which is great.

“He is able to stand and move around a bit, but we have had to do a lot of work on his house.”

The stroke left Julian’s left arm paralysed and he regularly uses a wheelchair.

Patrick added: “He’s not quite his old self but is getting there.

“I have seen him go through everything this year.

“I’m the closest to where he lives, so have seen him more than others in the family.”

Patrick also took part in the Movember challenge and grew a moustache to raise money for the emergency service.

He vowed to double the money he raised and donated the funds to charity at the end of the month.

He added: “There’s all sorts of events planned for next year, and we will be raising more money for the Great North Air Ambulance Service.”