A SPONSORED swim has been organised to raise money for the victim of a vicious attack.

Glen Morton, aged 59, who has the mental age of a child, was left with a shattered cheekbone and two black eyes after he was set upon by a gang of youths on Felton Walk, Halliwell, on Saturday.

Friend David Mason said he wanted to raise money to help Mr Morton through his ordeal.

Mr Mason, aged 48, who is paralysed down one side, has been raising money for charity for more than 20 years.

But he gave it up for a short while after he too was assaulted in Bolton Town Centre last year.

Mr Mason, of Halliwell, said: "I just want to raise as much money for him as possible to help him get through this.

"Being attacked affected my confidence and has psychologically scarred me. I can understand what Glen is going through.

"Glen is such a great person, and I am so shocked that anyone could do that - to see his injuries in the paper really knocked me for six."

Mr Mason will be undertaking the sponsored swim at the Jubilee Centre next Wednesday.

He is asking for donations and sponsor pledges to be sent to Clarence Street, a college for people with learning difficulties located just off Bridge Street.

He will swim for as long as he can.

Police are still hunting the yobs who attacked Mr Morton, and are asking anyone with information to contact Astley Bridge CID on 0161 856 5740.