PARALYSED former Ipswich Evening Star Witches rider Kim Jansson has spoken for the first time since his crash in Sweden last month.And he says that he intends to take up other sports now that his speedway career is over.

Elvin King

PARALYSED former Ipswich Evening Star Witches rider Kim Jansson has spoken for the first time since his crash in Sweden last month.

And he says that he intends to take up other sports now that his speedway career is over.

“I want to thank all Ipswich supporters for their kind thoughts and messages,” said Jansson from his hospital bed in the spinal unit of a Gothenburg hospital.

“I have not had time to look at them all yet, but I will read every one.

“It is reassuring to know that so many people are thinking of me.”

Jansson, 26, was visited by Witches fans Clive and Gillian Webb and their daughter Leanne last weekend.

They have been friends for a while and the Webbs had Jansson's Polish mechanic as a lodger in 2007.

“Kim is very cheerful and upbeat,” said Mrs Webb. “He is getting to grips with his wheelchair and by Sunday he was travelling around the ward.

“He has full movement in his arms and is looking to take up other sports. He used to go out on the town with Leanne during his time with the Witches, and he told her that he will be doing that again.

“He is the same laughing and joking lad that we have known since he arrived in Ipswich.

“It is too early for him to get his head around the incident that led to his injury. It all happened so quickly and he needs time to get to grips with it all.”

Witches team manager Pete Simmons, whose company used to sponsor Jansson has been on the phone to the rider, plans to go over and see him early next month.

“Kim is getting on remarkably well,” said Simmons. “I spoke to him from Foxhall Stadium on Thursday night and he was wanting to know all the Witches news.

“It is just three weeks since his crash and he is already in the gym and out of bed most of the while.

“He is keen to have a word with Lawrence Hare, who suffered the same fate six years ago, and the plan is for Lawrence and his partner Lucy to partner my wife Allison and myself to go over to Gothenburg next month.”

The Webbs have opened a building society account to help Jansson continue to live life to the full.

“The Kim Jansson Fund is the Nationwide Building Society and the account number is 0630/704006748 and the sort code 070093,” said Mrs Webb.

“If people would rather send donations my address is 20, Edinburgh Gardens, Claydon, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP6 0DU.

“All money collected will be sent out to Kim's family in Sweden.”

N (SQUARE) WITCHES rider Chris Schramm has volunteered to wax his chest for the Kim Jansson fund if they can raise £1,000. For £1,500 he will also shave his head!