FRIENDS and supporters of a father who broke his neck falling from a balcony are halfway to raising enough money for life-changing equipment for him.

Darren Houghton's friends are calling for more help as they're almost halfway to raising £10,000 needed for a lightweight wheelchair and adaptive exercise equipment for him.

In 2014 Mr Houghton, son of Oxford United 1960s football star 'Bud' Houghton and a husband and father of two, fell from a balcony and broke his neck.

His spinal cord was crushed so severely that he became instantly paralysed from the neck down.

In total he has spent eight months in hospital since the accident. Thanks to rehabilitation efforts he has regained limited use of his legs and left arm. His right arm remains paralysed.

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Mr Houghton's friend James Kennedy is leading the fundraising efforts.

Mr Houghton's wife Jo said: "Darren can not work and nor can I as I take care of him.

"He needs a new wheelchair and exercise machine to keep trying to fight and regain some more movement, so our friend James is doing the hardest hill race on earth to raise funds for these."

£4,310 has been already raised on the Crowdfunder website.

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Oxford United's Harry Brian Houghton was nicknamed "Bud".

He appeared as a centre forward 106 times and scored 69 goals for the team in 1961-63. During his stay Oxford won the championship of the Southern League twice.

He passed away in 1994.