A POLICEMAN has been left paralysed after an accident while on holiday with his family.

PC Luke Stanwick, 30, may never walk again after the incident, which saw him hospitalised in Portugal without the use of his legs.

He is still in Lisbon and is paralysed from the waist down after undergoing surgery – suffering from fractures to his neck on two of his vertebrae.

PC Stanwick, a member of Sussex Police's Uckfield neighbourhood policing team, was on holiday with his wife Jenny, their two-year-old son Nathan and his wife’s family.

His wife said it was too early to know if his injury was permanent or not after the accident last Saturday.

Jenny Stanwick described her husband as the “kindest sweetest soul, who would always be the first to offer his support to anyone in need”.

She said: “He is my rock, my hero and most of all the man I adore without question.

“Luke is outgoing and fun to be around and makes me smile every day, even now in our darkest moment together.

"He will fight to the ends of the earth to recover as much as he physically can for both me and our son, as well as the rest of his family.”

Donations have flooded in from friends and well-wishers who have clubbed together to help raise money to support the family.

In less than a day more than £5,000 was raised by people across the country thanks to a GoFundMe web page.

The donation page was started by PC Stanwick’s pal and former Met Police colleague Alison Cat.

She said: “He is one of the kindest, most thoughtful and fun loving guys there is. He is always there for anyone that needs him.

“I want to show Luke how he has touched so many people’s lives and that we are here to support and help him, his wife, their son and all of their family in a difficult time.”

Luke’s father Michael Stanwick said the donation drive had “brought out the best in human nature”.

Mark White, secretary of the Sussex Police Federation, said: “We were saddened to hear about Luke's accident and have been doing our best to help him and his family. 

“It is too early to say how this will affect him in the long run and we still live in hope that he make a full recovery.

"In the meantime, it is heartwarming to see the efforts which are already underway to raise funds to support Luke and his family".

Chief Inspector Chris Veale of Sussex Police said colleagues' thoughts and best wishes were being passed to the family.

Police officers around the country shared the fundraising details on social medial with the hashtag #MayTheForceBeWithU

The family, from Hailsham, hope to return to the UK next week.

‘Dedicated officer’ receives high praise from community

LAST NIGHT friends and colleagues from across the country were offering their kind words to PC Stanwick.

The Bullshire Police Federation, a site for the police community, shared the GoFundMe page and changed their profile picture to PC Stanwick and his son with the message “may the force be with you”.

Sean Board said: “I worked on relief with Luke.

“You couldn’t wish to meet a more dedicated officer and family man.

“Come on guys let’s dig in and show him his extended family are here for him.”

Andrew Smith said: “Luke worked for me on his arrival in the Met some time ago.

“A top guy, now is the time he and his family need our support however little people can spare.”

Kelly Campbell Jones said: “Luke and Jen are such a lovely couple. This is a horrible situation but they have so much support and both have the determination to get through this.

“Hope the money helps on Luke's road to recovery.”

Catrina Charles said: “I had the pleasure of tutoring Luke in Sussex.

“Thoughts of his enthusiasm and irrepressible spirit still bring a smile to your face.”

Laura Ascott said: “One of the nicest people you could wish to meet and is greatly missed in Brixton.”

Graeme McKee said: “This is awful. Was at a job just a few weeks ago when Luke was a superb example of ‘good cop’.

“This guy is a gentleman and an example to us all.”

Gemma Fordham said: “Thinking of you Luke and sending all the best to your family. I’ll be donating.”

Chet Lazer said: “Good luck mate. Wishing you all the strength you need to get back on your feet.”