FRIENDS of a Hampshire man who was paralysed from the chest down in a fall proved their support once again by raising more than £500 at a fundraising golf day.

Players at Ampfield Golf Club, where Paul Smart used to be a member, are his latest bunch of friends to join in the fundraising efforts to buy specialist equipment to help make his life easier.

Already friends and family - including Paul's mates at the Rising Sun in Colden Common - have raised nearly £6,000.

Paul, 44, of Hiltingbury Road, Chandler's Ford, suffered severe spinal injuries when he fell while surveying a bridge for Mark Hughes plant and haulage contractors in September last year.

On Saturday he finally came home to his wife Vicky and children David, 20, and Kim, 18, after 14 months in the spinal unit at Odstock Hospital in Salisbury.

David played in the Texas Scramble tournament alongside Paul's father-in-law Ron Tucker, and nephew Adam Oliver, 16.

Paul's mother-in-law Josie Tucker, 72, of Botley Road, Romsey, said: "My husband and I have been members of Ampfield Golf Club for the last 25 years and members wanted to contribute. The ladies had a competition and raised £145, and today members and friends of Paul and Vicky played in the scramble."

Vicky, 43, who works in newspaper sales at the Daily Echo, said: "Paul's friends have organised so many events and everyone has just been fantastic - I think friends and support is what gets you through.

"We need £6,500 for an electric wheelchair and we've bought him an exercise machine for £3,500. That's just the tip of the iceberg."