A GRANDFATHER was found at the bottom of the stairs in a pool of his own blood after a night out with friends.

Tony Cross from Bursledon had been at home alone and to this day his family don’t know the cause of the fall which left him unresponsive and paralysed down one side of his body.

According to Tony’s daughter, Kara, the doctors say he may never be the same again after the accident.

Now three weeks after the fall, she reports that although her dad can speak again he can’t move his right side and it is heart-breaking he can’t recognise his grandchildren.

After two weeks in the Neurosciences intensive care unit (NICU) at University Hospital Southampton (UHS), the 54-year-old has relocated to Southampton General Hospital where he is still recovering.

In gratitude for the care Tony received, his family plan to raise £1,000 for the Southampton Hospital Charity which enhances the facilities and services at UHS.

They hope that the money they raise will help future patients and families who find themselves in a similar situation.

The father of five and grandfather of six had had his own tree surgery business but stopped working a year ago due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and arthritis.

Tony’s son Ben, 19, who found him after his accident, has since become his full-time carer with the two being exceptionally close and Ben always by his dad’s side.Tony is also supported by sons Billy, 27, Anthony, 30 and daughter, Chloe, 21.

Before his accident, Tony loved fishing and seeing friends.

Described by his daughter, Kara, 24, as a funny, hardworking and loveable man, the former tree surgeon has slowly started to show signs of progress since the accident on April 28. The family would now like to raise awareness of how serious head injuries can be. Kara added that if it wasn’t for the intensive care unit her dad would not have survived so she and her family can’t thank them enough for their help.

She said: “The intensive care unit has been unbelievable. Since our dad arrived the nurses, doctors and surgeons have been out of this world.

“They’ve been so supportive and answered any questions we had. No matter what time we rang they always gave us updates. Without all of the people looking after him God knows where our family would be.”

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tonycross64