Six hundred people gathered at Wimbledon Rugby Football Club on Saturday to raise money for a young man who was left paralysed from the shoulders down after being crushed in a scrum.

Jack Fishwick, 27, now uses a wheelchair to get around after the life-changing London Division One South game at Haywards Heath in March last year.

Since then, friends and rugby fans have donated thousands of pounds to support his rehabilitation, and the Wimbledon RFC set up an annual sevens match to raise money.

Twenty-one teams took part in the tournament, with the cup going to Flying Fish Sevens - the UK-based Barbados exiles team.

The total amount raised has yet to be counted. Money will be split between the Jack Fishwick Discretionary Fund and The RFU Injured Players Foundation.

Mr Fishwick, who used to live in The Broadway, has been staying with his parents in Wiltshire since the accident but is looking to move back to Wimbledon so he can return to work at Bounce Gym in Wimbledon Park.

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He said: "Last year's funds played a big role in me being able to complete the purchase of a new house which will allow me to move back to Wimbledon.

"The help that the club give me puts me in a position where returning to Wimbledon, work and my friends is a true reality which I'm so grateful for. Other people in my position are sometimes not as lucky."

Mr Fishwick was highly commended at the Merton Civic Awards on Wednesday, July 15 for his courage in coming to terms with the accident.

The third annual awards, held at the Antoinette Hotel in Wimbledon was organised by the Wimbledon Guardian and the mayor of Merton's office.

Thirty-four club members volunteered during the all-day event, which included live music and a post-match party.