AN Upper Slaughter couple have been overwhelmed by the public response to their appeal for funds to help their disabled son.

When Wendy and Robert Brain decided to hold a Christmas sale at the village hall earlier this month, they expected to raise a few hundred pounds towards the cost of a new wheelchair for Andrew, aged 35.

Instead they did far, far better than they ever hoped.

"We've got £4,400," said a delighted Wendy.

"Everyone was marvellous - the people who worked on the day and those who gave things to sell. The sale on the day made £2,143 and then it has been really touching - the very generous donations we have had since the sale has brought the total up to £4,400. I'm astounded and stunned by people's kindness."

She said she was extremely grateful to all those who helped with the fund-raising for Andrew and added: "He's been able to try various wheelchairs with the guidance of his physiotherapist and now a brand new chair has been ordered, which he should get very soon. It will make such a difference to him."

Andrew is a former pupil of Bourton Vale Secondary School and trained at Hartpury College near Gloucester before starting work at Rissington Hill Farm, near Great Rissington.

The family left Notgrove to move to Upper Slaughter eight years ago, by which time Andrew had already moved to Somerset, although he now lives in Hemyock in Devon with his partner, Sally, their daughter, Molly, aged two, and Sally's other two children, Kate and Steven.

Andrew was left disabled after a mysterious blood poisoning illness laid him low at the end of last year.

Just days after New Year he suffered a stroke and then another one four days later.

Doctors at Frenchay Hospital doubted he would survive, but after eight months of treatment and rehabilitation he has returned home, although he is unable to walk.

Doctors say it appears that the blood poisoning damaged a heart valve, which prompted the strokes.

Wendy works at the Old New Inn in Bourton, which has also raised funds to help Andrew. Licensees Julian and Vicki Atherton also gave £100 to help buy the chair.