SHEFFIELD Speedway have confirmed a number of riders who will compete to raise funds for Garry Stead, so cruelly paralysed following a track crash at Somerset in May.

Stead, who was Captain of the Stoke Potters at the time, is making good progress in Pinderfields Hospital near Wakefield.

"I’ve been in the chair for about three weeks now and learned so much," said Garry, "I can do my wheelies to mount kerbs and safely transfer from my wheelchair to a normal seat without hurting myself, so far so good.

"I am as far forward as I can be until the broken bones heal but I am determined to be at Owlerton for my meeting to thank everyone for their wonderful support."

Sheffield Co-Promoter, David Hoggart, revealed he was in talks with a number of former World Champions to come up with something special.

Hoggart said: "Two of these guys were the best racers that British Speedway ever produced and I should be in a position to put pen to paper with them next week."

The line up so far includes riders who have ridden with Garry Stead or are personally close to him and wish to pay homage to a true sportsman.

Garry Havelock (Redcar), Freddie Lindgren (Wolverhampton), Simon Stead (Belle Vue), Andre Compton (Sheffield), George Stancl (Edinburgh), Carl Stonehewer (Workington), Ricky Ashworth (Sheffield), Tai Woffinden (Rye House), Lee Complin (Stoke), Steve Johnston (Coventry), Joel Parsons (Sheffield), Rusty Harrison (Stoke), Chris Kerr (Redcar), Robbie Kessler (Rye House), Magnus Zetterstrom (Somerset),

Donations may be sent payable to, “Garry Stead Benefit Fund” c/o Yorkshire Bank, 14 High Street, Alfreton, DE55 7BB or paid in at any Yorkshire Bank branch quoting the above detail.