A FUNDRAISING campaign has been launched for a man left paralysed after a serious horse fall.

Rob Walker, 49, sustained spinal injuries in a rotational drag hunting fall - where the horse somersaults over a jump and lands on the rider - in January while riding his horse Orbital.

He has been left with a broken back which had left him with tetraplegic paralysis affecting all four limbs.

Orbital was uninjured in the fall.

The Essex-based rider is being cared for at Stanmore Hospital, but his family is trying to raise money for him to be moved to the Injured Jockeys Fund’s Oaksey House for rehabilitation.

An online auction was held earlier this week which helped raise vital funds towards the cost.

Mr Walker’s fiancé Olivia-Jade Greig told Horse and Hound magazine: “We have been absolutely overwhelmed by the generosity shown, and what started as a small idea has grown into something really exciting that will have a huge positive impact for someone very special to us all.

“Rob has experienced significant flickers in several fingers which, it is hoped, may lead to the use of his arms in future with the possible intervention of surgery and specialist Hobbs Rehabilitation and physiotherapy at the Injured Jockeys Fund’s Oaksey House.

“Therefore we are desperately trying to raise money to aid his rehabilitation by funding his transfer to – and stay at – Oaksey House, the renowned clinic for injured jockeys.

“Rob is booked in for a taster week in June, and all being well, will then spend the whole of July there.”

A fundraising ride has been organised by friends of Rob, which will take place at Lovedown Farm, Lower Rodd, Hockley, on May 14.

Riders can arrive any time before 1pm and there will be a staggered start.

There will be no road work.

Entrance is £20 for adults and £10 for under 15s in advance, or £25 for adults and £15 for children on the gate.

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