A FREAK accident could result in a Trowbridge man losing his sight in one eye, after he was struck by a golf club while playing crazy golf in Trowbridge Town Park on Sunday.

Haydn Briggs, who takes in students as part of Wiltshire Host Families, was playing golf in the park with some students on Sunday at around 3.30pm when he was hit in the eye.

The incident resulted in injuries so severe that he was airlifted by Wiltshire Air Ambulance to Bristol Eye Hospital, where he underwent a four-hour emergency operation on his arrival.

He has since had another major operation to stop the haemorrhaging, but it is expected that he will need many more operations over the next few months to save his sight in the damaged eye.

His partner Pauline praised the emergency services and the Bristol Eye Hospital surgeons and said: “A massive thanks to Wiltshire Air Ambulance service for air lifting Haydn to Bristol Eye Hospital.

“His long road to recovery has only just begun, but without the rapid response from Wiltshire Air Ambulance and expertise of the eye surgeons, this wouldn't have been possible.”

While Mr Briggs remains cheerful despite his situation, friends of the couple are concerned that things will be hard for them, as he is a self-employed fence erector with no accident or loss of earnings insurance.

As a result, Val Hopper, who runs Wiltshire Host Families and is a close friend of the couple, has organised a JustGiving online donations page and is urging people to donate as much as they can.

“I first found out when I got a call from Pauline, who was hysterical,” said Mrs Hopper. “Haydn is one of those chaps who has a heart of gold and will help anyone in need. This cruel trick of fate has left him unable to provide for his family at this moment through no fault of his own.

“My host families and I want Haydn and Pauline to know that we care about them and will be there to help through the difficult times ahead, so I have set up a JustGiving page to help support them financially allowing them to focus on getting better.

“This will be a long haul for the family but we can make a difference. Imagine if this happened to you, your partner, your parents or friends.

“Such a devastating life changing event deserves all of us to show compassion and generosity so please make a donation via the JustGiving page or directly to me.”

Mrs Hopper is also looking to organise some fundraising events to help secure the longer term financial situation for the couple and said she would welcome any ideas or contributions from the public and local businesses.

To donate, visit https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/Haydn. For more information, contact Mrs Hopper on 01225 405783 or at val.hopper@hotmail.co.uk