Chelmsford High School teacher and coach Tom Gallagher has a determined support network of family and friends who have committed to helping him gain independence.

Gallagher, who was paralyzed after a freak accident last December, was in a contest this spring in honor of Mobility Awareness Month. 

While Gallagher's friends and families rallied and he received thousands of votes - even making it to the semi-final round in the contest - he was not one of the winners of the handicapped van.

The van, according to family friend Shannon Michaud, will give him independence.

"He's depending on our awesome community to help transport him (to lacrosse practices) and back pretty much every day of the week ... but he's relying on people not getting sick, and no family emergencies coming up, in order to get back to coaching," she said. "And in September he’ll be teaching again full-time so by then he’s definitely really need to get a car."

Michaud was hopeful Gallagher would win, but knew that if he didn't, friends and family would continue to support him and raise money for a new car.

Donations are being accepted here. Gallagher's family is hoping to raise about $30,000 for the new car.

A Facebook page has also been set up for people to support the Gallaghers and keep up-to-date on any new opportunities to help out.

"Tom is the first one to help anybody, it could be a stranger or someone he's known for the past 30 years," she said. "He and Annette own (a local cafe) and they've done so many fundraising efforts for people in the community. They're just always giving to the community."