THE local non-League community will be coming together tomorrow to raise money for their good friend Jay Young.

The popular 22-year-old former AFC Totton and Brockenhurst player was left paralysed from the neck down while rehearsing for an acrobatic show at Legoland, Windsor, where he worked as a stuntman.

Young is currently being cared for in the Wessex Neurological Centre at Southampton General Hospital.

He has been heartened by news that so many of his former team-mates and college friends are supporting the ‘Pray for Jay’ fundraiser at AFC Totton’s Testwood Stadium home (1pm).

One of Young’s closest friends, Sholing’s Danny Cox and his family, have helped organise the match between an AFC Totton XI and a Brockenhurst XI.

The Totton squad, managed by Cox, will include a host of leading local non-League names like Totton’s Mike Gosney, Bashley’s Jack Smith and Sholing’s Byron and Barry Mason – plus ex-Saint Josh Dutton-Black, now of North Leigh, who attended Taunton’s College with Young.

Ben Kneller, who also studied at Taunton’s and was a Brockenhurst teammate of Young’s, will manage a Brock team featuring Winchester City pair Rory Anderson and Liam Crook and ex-Bournemouth and Bashley defender Jordan Rose, now of Stockport County.

“A lot of us have been to see Jay in hospital. He’s in good spirits,” said Kneller. “Jay’s a great lad, such a big personality. He’s got a lot of family and friends behind him. There are nearly 1,300 people on his Facebook site.”

Gates open at 12 noon tomorrow. Entry is £5. The day includes a raffle, competitions and refreshments plus a chance to watch the FA Cup final in the bar afterwards.

The ultimate aim is to try and raise £10,000 for Young’s rehabilitation and specialist treatment after his accident.

An AFC Totton spokesman said: “This young man deserves all the support we can give and AFC Totton are honoured to be hosting this event.

“Everyone connected with the club wish Jay the very best and our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

“He is a strong and determined young man and he will, with our support, get through this.”

AFC Totton XI: Nicholas Hannides, Harry Harwood, Matt Troon, Mark Broomes, Jack Smith, Mike Byrne, Pete Castle, James Embree, Mike Gosney, Josh Dutton-Black, Alex Hibberd, Byron Mason, Marvin McLean, Rhys Barker, Denis Jack, Barry Mason, Steve Hopkins, Dave Cox, Marvin Broomes, Mike Carter.

Brockenhurst XI: Rory Anderson, Nick O’Donnell, Richard Morse, Dave Marden, Craig Shrimpton, Jordan Rose, Paul Liddon, Dave Cox, Adam Lang, Simon Young, Sam Carter, Liam Crook, Dave Wakefield, Mark Clothier, Ryan Lambert, Steve Marwood, Macs Sampays, Kevin James, Taz Roberts, Kevin Braybrook.