A COMMUNITY is coming together to raise money for a popular delivery man who contracted sepsis - and had his leg amputated on his 40th birthday.

In January, Dave Cram, also known as DPD Dave, was playing football with what he thought was a sore throat and later experienced groin pain.

He was rushed to hospital where the doctors found he had contracted sepsis.

After complications, Mr Cram’s leg was amputated on January 16, his 40th birthday.

Since then, he went into cardiac arrest three times and multiple organ failure.

Zander Sumner, from Billington, has organised a charity concert for the dad-of-one at the Keystreet music venue in Clitheroe on Sunday. Mr Sumner will play with his band, Stereo Retrovibe, with other local artists to be announced.

He said: “He’s just a really likeable guy ­— and you won’t get parcels chucked through your door. He would speak to you, everybody liked him, and that’s why he has got so much support and enthusiasm. A lot of people are seeing his story and are moved by it, including celebrities.”

Mr Cram is a local DPD driver, known across the Ribble Valley for his friendly nature.

Mr Sumner said: “We all want to do a fundraiser for the family because they’re going through a lot, and he has a wife and a daughter. We want to get him and his family through this difficult time.

“He will never be able to play football again and it’s sad that such a positive person had something like this happen to them.”

Singer Olly Murs has donated £2,000 to the fund page for Mr Cram, from Blackpool.

Mr Sumner added: “I know him because he delivers parcels to my house.

“He is a local character, who is nice to everyone he meets.

“I became friends with him and found that everyone else in the area knew him too as he has a good reputation.

“My wife told me about it, I didn’t know until she asked me about Dave.”

The concert will start at 3pm and will include free drinks and food.

For anyone wishing to donate or take part on the day, please contact 07761 650641.