A MAN who was told he wouldn’t reach his 30th birthday has celebrated making the milestone - with the help of hundreds of strangers.

Murray Bass, from Shoebury, was severely brain damaged after his car smashed into a lamppost in Ramsden Heath eight years ago.

Murray, who used to work at Stock Brook Manor, Billericay, has short term memory loss and can only move to scratch his nose.

The former Beauchamps High School student requires care 24 hours-a-day.

Sadly, he lost contact with a lot of his friends after the accident and was left feeling lonely and isolated.

His sister, Jazzily, was concerned his 30th birthday might not be made as special as it should be.

She started a campaign to get birthday cards secretly delivered ahead of the big day.

Jazzily also organised a special birthday event, to take place on the big day at Reids, Billericay, on Sunday.

She was thrilled when 60 people attended - and there were 738 cards for Murray to open.

There was also a cake depicting his favourite interests - fishing and music.

Jazzily said: “The celebration was amazing.

“There were about 60 people who attended the event.

“When he entered the area his face was so happy.

“I’ve never seen him smile so much.

“Then we poured all 738 cards onto his lap and he just had such a look of shock on his face.

“He kept saying ‘thank you’.

“A massive thank you to everyone who came and made Murray’s birthday celebrations extra special for him.

“The smile on his face as he came was priceless and will forever stay in my heart.”

A fundraising page set up to raise money for Murray to go on birthday treats has raised more than £1,000, with strangers and friends of Murray donating money.

You can still donate to the cause at uk.gofundme.com/murraybass