THREE months ago part-time swimming instructor Danielle Day was like any of her friends. She was living life to the full and studying beauty therapy at Canterbury CCollege.

But then a freak accident left her paralysed from the waist down and changed her life, possibly for ever.

Danielle, 18, has now spent 11 weeks at the specialist spinal injuries centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire learning to adjust to life in a wheelchair and the fact that she may never walk again.

Her mum, Clare, has spent every minute by her side while her brother Lewis, 14, remains at home in Tankerton with his father.

The family are now hoping to raise money to pay for specialist equipment to help Danielle return home .

Clare said: "Danielle is working really hard in rehab and learning lots of new skills and how to cope.

"It is hard and the accident had a devastating effect on the whole family but Danielle and all of us have to get on with life."

Danielle, a part-time swimming pool instructor at Whitstable Pool, broke her back in three places and damaged her spinal cord after falling 40ft from a bedroom window. She has been told it is unlikely that she will ever walk again but the family are not giving up hope.

"We just have to wait and see," said Clare. "I am never going to give up. We have to wait two years for the spine to settle down but there are operations in America that might help and we will do everything we can to get her there."

The fund-raising to pay for specialist equipment for Danielle starts with a charity auction and raffle at the Chequers Inn in Ash.

The event will take place on Saturday, November 26, at 7pm and raffle tickets are available from Whitstable Swimming Pool.

Danielle’s friend Karen White, who works at the pool, said: "We have already got some great prizes for the auction and raffle but we still need more items.

"We really hope people will support us and Danielle and come to the auction."

Donations can also be left at the pool in Harbour Street, Whitstable, and more events are being planned.

For more information or to donate something for the auction call 07843 441938.