Andy Corles could soon be cycling round Coromandel roads, little more than 12 months after being paralysed in a car crash.

'A local couple have organised a bike for me so I can get around and get some exercise which will be great. It's yet another example of how wonderfully supportive this community has been to me and my family,” says Andy, owner and chef of the Castle Rock Café.

Andy Corles and daughter Maddie enjoying time out on the ocean.

On July 1, 2014, Andy's car rolled and hit a bank in wet conditions not far from Te Rerenga. The impact severed his spinal cord and in those few seconds life for Andy, wife Shelley and their daughter Maddie changed forever.

Andy's prognosis was originally uncertain, as was the future of their Castle Rock Café, situated between Coromandel and Whangapoua.

That's why shortly after the accident Te Rerenga School principal Anna Yates, who works with Shelley, created an online fundraising page and in its first week more than $8000 was donated to the family via the Givealittle website.

Andy credits Shelley, Maddie, extended family and the local community with helping him recover both physically and emotionally.

'We were told by my medical team that six months after an accident like this many people sink into pretty deep depression. There have of course been bad days but I'd say I'm positive at least 90 per cent of the time; and that's thanks to Shelley, my family and the local community.”

SURVIVOR PARTY

Locals haven't forgotten the family and the survivor party put on by Shelley and her family to mark one year since the time of the crash was very well attended by the community.

While Andy can't get back in the kitchen, the Castle Rock Café is in good hands. His nephew Dyon Ross, originally from Whangapoua, returned from working as a chef in Melbourne to run the café last year.

'He's doing a fantastic job and is currently on holiday as we have closed the café for the month of July, opening again on August 4.”

NEW PRODUCT A 'HIT' WITH CUSTOMERS

Castle Rock Café sauces, vinegars and preserves are used in the café as well as sold in its shop.

As well as concentrating on exercises to improve his movement and strength, Andy has also continued to develop recipes for the sauces and preserves the café is famous for. 'We've just released a new chilli, lime and coriander vinegar which has got a nice ‘hit' to it.”

And Shelley and Andy are promoting them in person at shows, including the recent Tauranga Food Show.

Despite the severity of his injuries, Andy's progress and ability to use his arms has exceeded expectations and plans are now in place for more surgery to increase his ability to use his hands. 'My thumbs don't work too well which makes it hard to grip things.

'When we recently went back to see the surgeon who operated on my neck we found out more about the injury, including that one vertebrae was so badly damaged it had to be removed and that I have a plate and screws keeping my neck together.”

There's no denying Andy and family have gone through an extremely tough 12 months. 'But there's people a lot worse off than me and I believe there's no point in sitting round feeling sorry for myself. If I do Shelley's there to give me a good wake-up call,” says Andy.

All of Castle Rock's special sauces, vinegars and preserves are available online from its website www.castlerockcafe.co.nz

Castle Rock Café is situated between Coromandel and Whangapoua.