A MAN who was left unable to walk following a terrifying attack says wheelchair basketball and the friends he's made through the sport have helped him cope.

Neil Howson has enjoyed sport for as long as he can remember and was approached by Cumbria Wheelchair Sports Club chairman Ray McBride while watching a Carlisle United game.

Read more about Neil's attack. 

He thought he would give it a try and said to himself if he didn’t like it, he didn’t have to stay.

“I never looked back,” said Neil. “It has been great for my wellbeing and just being part of something is great.

“I have travelled all over the country with them and really enjoy it."

Neil trains in Carlisle and now plays for Lancaster Bulldogs.

But he's in need of a new wheelchair to enable him to continue playing and his new club does not have one that is suitable.

He has launched a crowd funding page to help pay for a new chair, which costs in the region of £5,000.

While he has managed to return to work, he has a limited income and is unable to pay for the specialist chair he needs.

"I am a proud man and do not like asking for charity. However, without additional financial support I will have to stop playing the game I love with the people that mean so much to me," he said.

"I would love to be on a level playing field and to be able to continue playing and to see what I can actually do against people that are in the same kind of wheelchairs."

Neil has made great friends through the sport, including Rick Townsend and Maurice Branthwaite, and he said it these friends who have helped him "tremendously" with his physical and mental wellbeing following the attack in 2009.

He also likes helping with the development of younger and less experienced players at Cumbria Wheelchair Sports Club.

To donate to Neil's fund click here.