A FIGHTING fund set up to bring the killer of murdered Southampton dad Eddie Maddick to justice has received a boost from a city social club.

Regulars at Shirley and Millbrook Conservative Club raised £542 at their annual charity night.

The cash is to be donated to the Eddie Maddick Action Fund, set up by family and friends of the disabled 45-year-old to cover legal fees which could finally trace his killer.

Mother-of-two Mrs Maddick, of Bampton Close, Millbrook, said she was grateful for the latest donation to the appeal and her thanks went to everyone involved.

Although currently taking a back seat for health reasons, she said her family was pushing ahead with the fundraising drive.

"I will do whatever it takes to get justice for Eddie," said Mrs Maddick, 46, a special needs assistant. "Everything is ready to go to court now. It just needs that final push."

About 100 people attended the latest fundraiser, which included dart bingo, a raffle and an auction.

A spokesman for the club in Anglesea Road, Shirley, said: "A lot of our customers knew Eddie.

"Once a year we have a charity event and this year we decided to support the Eddie Maddick Action Fund, particularly as it was so close to the anniversary."

Former builder Mr Maddick, who suffered from debilitating myoclonic epilepsy, was found battered to death under a hedge off Tebourba Way, in Millbrook, on July 29, 2001. He had been stamped on and repeatedly kicked leaving him with appalling injuries, which included a fractured skull, jaw, nose, cheekbone and ribs.

Barry Whittle, formerly of Hill Lane, Southampton, was accused of murdering Mr Maddick but walked free from Winchester Crown Court after jurors found him not guilty.

After the verdict, Mr Maddick's widow, Caroline, launched the Eddie Maddick Action Fund to fund legal action aimed at bringing whoever killed him to justice.

To date, she has spent more than £7,000 getting the case prepared for court - but now afurther £5,000 is needed to cover barristers' fees and associated costs.

Whittle, now 23, has returned to his native Northern Ireland, where he has been charged with a string of offences.

Allegations he faces include two counts of attempted murder and three of assaulting a police officer

Donations to the Eddie Maddick Action Fund can be made via Sarah Cole at the Daily Echo, Newspaper House, Test Lane, Redbridge, Southampton SO16 9JX.