An engineer left with life-changing spinal injuries following a fall at work needs to raise £60,000 to make his home safe to live in.

Terry Francis, 55, has always worked hard and provided for his family through his job as a gas technician.

The Swanley resident went to work as usual on June 22, 2021 but during his shift at a hospital in London there was a health and safety breach where a bolt was not secured by a contractor on top of a commercial boiler.

This caused Terry to fall and sustain a serious spinal injury which he says has left him with no sensation and reduced strength down his left side.

He spent two weeks at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford before puzzled doctors referred him to specialists at King's College Hospital.

The dad-of-three was later diagnosed as having tetraplegia – a form of paralysis that affects the cervical spinal cord.

"My condition was still deteriorating and they could not operate initially," Terry explained.

"Currently I have no feeling on my left side and I have got no bladder control."

Terry, who recently became a grandfather, has since had surgery to replace the discs in his spine and a metal cage has been inserted.

Since the accident, he must wear a neck brace while travelling to stabilise his neck from sudden movements.

He also uses a wheelchair and has limited mobility, requiring the assistance of special walking sticks.

Terry described the debilitating effect it has had on his life as a "a complete change," adding: "My legs go like jelly.

"During the day I will be using the wheelchair as well as the walking aid."

"Currently I have no feeling on my left side and I have got no bladder control."

The gas worker also also suffers with Lhermitte’s phenomenon – a short, intense sensation that feels similar to an electric shock passing down the neck and spine – and has intermittent, uncontrollable shaking to his right arm.

His condition has robbed him of the motor skills needed to do his job and has forced Terry into early retirement.

Terry has recently completed a three-month inpatient stay at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire for intense physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, wheelchair skills, occupational therapy and bladder training.

He heaped praise on the healthcare professionals who he says he "can't thank enough", adding such specialist care on the NHS was a "postcode lottery".

Physio is still ongoing following Terry's discharge but the former technician now finds himself reliant on his family.

Terry lives with wife Tracy, 51, who together have daughter Katie, 26, and two sons Charlie, 25, and Alfie, 20.

He is currently pursuing a personal injury claim with his legal team at Stewarts Law but no payout has yet been confirmed and he says the claim has been delayed by inaction on the part of the defendant and insurers.

In the meantime his home set-up in Victoria Hill Road is now unsuitable and he requires a series of costly adaptations to help him to live more independently.

His family have set up a GoFundMe page and so far £1,300 has been raised towards Terry's assistance needs. Click here to donate.

Terry said: "At the moment I'm living downstairs with no access to washing facilities up stairs.

"The bathroom is not safe or accessible for a wheelchair. People have suggested an annexe on the side of the house to have as a wetroom."

His family have compiled a list of improvements to the house – both inside and out – which includes re-configuring the front entrance which has steps and redesigning the kitchen so Terry can access the work surfaces, sink, and cooker.

Terry also hopes to get a lightweight wheelchair but says it is going to take three months for it to arrive from Germany owing to "Brexit delays at the ports".

A post from his son Charlie added: "This is a big ask, especially in the current times, but any donation you make, however big or small, will help.

"Please help us to try and get Terry’s independence back."