THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised for a Basingstoke ice hockey player who broke his back during a game.

Aidan Doughty, affectionately known as ‘Doughts’, was playing for Basingstoke Bison against Telford Tigers at Planet Ice at the Leisure Park on Saturday, January 14 when he fell, suffering serious injuries. 

The 26-year-old key player for 'The Herd', who is now into his second season with Basingstoke club, took an awkward hit into the boards, which fractured his spine. 

Spectators at the National Ice Hockey League (NIHL) game watched as the player, who was the Bison's top British goal scorer last season, was carried off on a stretcher following the accident. 

Aidan’s teammate, fellow Bison player Brendan Baird, has set up a GoFundMe page to support the ice hockey player while he is not able to work and awaits surgery to save his promising career in the NIHL's second tier. 

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He said: “He has a long road of recovery time ahead of him to get himself back on his feet.

“In typical Doughts fashion, he is in good spirits, making jokes and remaining positive. However, as a self-employed electrician, there will be no income for the foreseeable future.”

The fund has been supported by more than 360 people who have donated an incredible £10,900 since it was set up on Monday. 

Brendan said: “We are very aware that this is a difficult time to ask anyone to dig into their pockets, however with the cost-of-living at it is and the prospect of not working for some time, we have created a Go Fund Me page for Doughts, in the hope to take the pressure off slightly.

“For anyone who does know him personally, you would know he would be mortified to know we have set this up. But he would be the first person to donate for someone else.

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“We are asking for any donation possible, big or small, it would be incredibly appreciated, it will go a long way to give Doughts some peace of mind whilst focusing on his recovery.

“We will do anything we can to support Doughts, we are desperate to have him back on the ice with us as soon as possible and we wish him all the best with his upcoming surgery and recovery.”

Aidan, a forward who played junior hockey on the Isle of Wight, made his senior debut for the Wightlink Raiders in 2011.

From 2013, Aidan spent three years in the United States playing for Colorado clubs in the Western States Hockey League, before returning to the Raiders.

But when the Ryde Arena ice rink closed in 2016, he moved to Gosport's Solent Devils.

He was once named in the NIHL's all-star team.

Aidan earned himself another Bison contract after he made himself an important member of the team's powerplay unit last season. 

Despite the ordeal on Saturday, Basingstoke Bison won the game beating Telford Tigers 3-2.

To donate to the fundraiser click here.