INJURED Suffolk speedway rider Lawrence Hare has attended his first speedway meeting since his accident almost two months ago.Thirty-two-year-old Lawrence, known as Lol, was left paralysed after a track crash at Newport for his side Exeter on April 14.

INJURED Suffolk speedway rider Lawrence Hare has attended his first speedway meeting since his accident almost two months ago.

Thirty-two-year-old Lawrence, known as Lol, was left paralysed after a track crash at Newport for his side Exeter on April 14.

But the former Hadleigh High School pupil is making good progress at the Royal Gwent Hospital and went to British Speedway Grand Prix at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.

He watched the action from an executive box – courtesy of former Ipswich Town star and Arsenal goalkeeper Richard Wright.

He said: "One of the main worries for me was sitting on a chair for hours on end watching the racing. But I've conquered that now as I've been sitting outside at the hospital."

Lawrence continues to make progress, although he admits it can be very frustrating. "I don't think I've fully come to terms with the injury," he said.

"Some days I just think it is all a bad dream and I will wake up from it. And I am beginning to realise how much work I have in front of me. Trying to push my own body weight is like pushing a brick wall, and it can be very frustrating."

But Lol has been buoyed by the enormous support he has received from speedway fans all over the world.

The Evening-Star backed Lawrence Hare Support Fund currently sits at just over £60,000 – and one of the organisers, Mr Mike Western said: "Our first aim was to get to £100,000 by Christmas, but we will do that now," he said. "Especially with two more speedway meetings at Oxford and Exeter to come.

"However it isn't going to stop there, the fund will keep growing and we have many new ideas on how we can raise money for Lol.

"We are currently in the early stages of a raffle for a car, the idea coming from Guy Nicholls of Trucks R Us in Ipswich."

Mr Western said: "Even though you expect people to rally round and even though you know Lawrence is such a lovely lad, the level of generosity has been a big surprise. And nobody has said 'no' to requests for help. It's fantastic – and fantastic for the help we are going to be able to give Lawrence and his family."

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Donations for the fund for Lol can be sent to Geraldine Thompson, Editor's Secretary, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN.