Family 'overwhelmed' by fundraiser support for father-of-two paralysed after freak paddling pool accident in Gosport

AN OUTPOURING of support for a father-of-two who was left paralysed after a freak accident has ‘overwhelmed’ his family.
Dad-of-two Simon Cooper was visiting his sister-in-law in Gosport when a freak accident meant he was left paralysed from the neck down, and his family launched a fundraiser for adaptations to his home. Pictured: Simon, his son Lee, wife Leanne and daughter AbbieDad-of-two Simon Cooper was visiting his sister-in-law in Gosport when a freak accident meant he was left paralysed from the neck down, and his family launched a fundraiser for adaptations to his home. Pictured: Simon, his son Lee, wife Leanne and daughter Abbie
Dad-of-two Simon Cooper was visiting his sister-in-law in Gosport when a freak accident meant he was left paralysed from the neck down, and his family launched a fundraiser for adaptations to his home. Pictured: Simon, his son Lee, wife Leanne and daughter Abbie

On May 29, Simon Cooper was visiting his sister-in-law in Bridgemary, Gosport, for her birthday when he slipped on wet grass and went head-first into a paddling pool, suffering a spinal injury which left him paralysed from the neck down.

Simon was taken to Southampton General Hospital where he was found to have broken his C4 vertebra near the base of his neck, and had fractured his skull.

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An appeal for funds to adapt the family home has had support from across the world - with more than £20,000 collected within the first week as family and friends rallied around.

Dad-of-two Simon Cooper was visiting his sister-in-law in Gosport when a freak accident meant he was left paralysed from the neck down, and his family launched a fundraiser for adaptations to his home. Pictured: Simon with his wife LeanneDad-of-two Simon Cooper was visiting his sister-in-law in Gosport when a freak accident meant he was left paralysed from the neck down, and his family launched a fundraiser for adaptations to his home. Pictured: Simon with his wife Leanne
Dad-of-two Simon Cooper was visiting his sister-in-law in Gosport when a freak accident meant he was left paralysed from the neck down, and his family launched a fundraiser for adaptations to his home. Pictured: Simon with his wife Leanne

Lifelong Pompey fan Simon, who has served in the army for 20 years and was two years from retirement, grew up in Gosport with his brothers and sister, who all attended Brune Park School.

The 41-year-old met his wife Leanne, from Bridgemary, a year after joining the army and the pair now live in Chippenham, Wiltshire, with their two children, 18-year-old Lee and Abbie, 16.

Brother Mike Cooper, 43, has been inundated with offers of help with fundraising after setting up a Go Fund Me page to support Simon and Leanne - with £20,000 collected towards the £100,000 target already.

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Dad-of-two Simon Cooper was visiting his sister-in-law in Gosport when a freak accident meant he was left paralysed from the neck down, and his family launched a fundraiser for adaptations to his home. Pictured: Simon with his wife LeanneDad-of-two Simon Cooper was visiting his sister-in-law in Gosport when a freak accident meant he was left paralysed from the neck down, and his family launched a fundraiser for adaptations to his home. Pictured: Simon with his wife Leanne
Dad-of-two Simon Cooper was visiting his sister-in-law in Gosport when a freak accident meant he was left paralysed from the neck down, and his family launched a fundraiser for adaptations to his home. Pictured: Simon with his wife Leanne
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Naval serviceman Mike, who lives in South Wales, said: ‘I set up the page and instantly it just took off. I just can’t believe how quickly it’s taken off, it’s immense.

‘We’re massively overwhelmed. We were all shocked and trying to support each other through the first weekend - we have to think what we’re going to do for the future for Simon.

‘He is such an active bloke, he’s so family orientated. You can’t help but think what’s he going to do now? That’s where we have to stay positive, we want to make Simon as independent as possible.’

Simon is part of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) regiment, and has always been an active body builder who competes in strongman competitions.

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Mike said they have got a lot of support from the REME who are doing fundraising events, as well as charitable efforts elsewhere including an online auction and a gym taking on an endurance challenge.

Also calling for support for Simon is his sister Caroline, who has a hair salon in Whiteley, brother and fellow Pompey fan Robert who lives in the Portsmouth area, and his mum who still lives in the house in which the siblings grew up in Gosport.

Mike is hopeful for the future and the aim is to get Simon home within a year.

‘He’s still got his sense of humour, he’s such a positive guy,’ Mike added.

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‘He’s touched so many people in his life, he’s such an outgoing, infectious, down-to-earth guy.’

Of Simon and his wife Leanne, Mike said: ‘They’re both so infectious with their personalities, they haven’t got a bad bone in their bodies. It’s heartbreaking to see Leanne and the kids going through life at the moment.’

Visit gf.me/u/x9pgp2 to donate to the family’s appeal.

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