Nottingham's legendary Cockle Man has been injured in a car crash and he is appealing to the city to help him get back on his feet.
Dave Bartram, now 73, said he is frightened of "losing everything" he has worked for over the past 58 years.
Mr Bartram told Nottinghamshire Live that he has potentially suffered broken ribs and a broken sternum following a car crash in Ruddington on Monday, December 2.
He is now recovering in the Queen's Medical Centre and has asked anyone who may want to offer their help to get in touch with the ward.
"I'm losing too much business and I'm frightened I'm going to lose everything," he said.
"I was driving along and 'bang', and someone crashed into me. They came from behind me.
"I've got really bad rib injuries. I think I've broken a couple.
"My sternum is either broken or really badly bruised. I really want someone to help me and carry the basket for me.
"I really want help over Christmas."
Mr Bartram said he is due to be in the hospital for another four or five days while he recovers from his injuries.
Known as 'Cockle Man', the former fishmonger has been selling prawns, cockles and mussels every day of the week since he began in 1964.
He is most known around Nottingham's pub and bar scene, where he usually sells his goods, and since first setting out Mr Bartram has soldiered on despite an attempted mugging, a cancer diagnosis and the the death of his wife, Shirley, when she was 56.
To his delight, Nottingham City Transport (NCT) also surprised Mr Bartram when his regular Green 10 bus to Ruddington arrived bearing his name on November 3.
However, he is now fearing for the future of his business as he is unable to work.
"I want to carry on business, it is my life and it's everything I live for," Mr Bartram added.
"When I lost my wife I managed to carry on, but I'm getting older and older. I do want to carry on until 60 years.
"I want to carry on for Rainbows."
Mr Bartram collects money for the Rainbows Children's Hospice, and has played a vital role in raising funds for the charity which helps terminally ill children or those with life-limiting conditions.
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