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Mum's bedside vigil

From the Chard & Ilminster News, first published Wednesday 12th Jul 2006.

THE mother of a Chard man who suffered serious injuries in an incident in Chard town centre has said she is looking forward to welcoming him home.

Mary Guppy of Hornsbury Hill has been at the bedside of 22-year-old Christian Guppy in Bristol's Frenchay Hospital since the incident, which left him with serious head injuries.

This week Mrs Guppy told the News that Christian was now on the mend and should hopefully be home in the next few days.

The incident happened at about 3am on Saturday, June 1, outside Lloyds TSB in Fore Street.

Mrs Guppy said: "I was just numb when it happened. It is very difficult to say how you feel. I'm not an angry person.

"These things happen and you have to cope the best you can. You have to keep strong."

Christian's uncle, Christopher Guppy, told the News: "When I first saw him he was unconscious but in a day or two he was sitting up.

"When it happened I was gobsmacked. I was stunned at the time because you always think the worst. Luckily things are fairly promising and he is getting better by the day."

Both his mum and his uncle said Christian is a very popular young man, hardworking and fun loving.

Mrs Guppy said his friends had been "marvellous," and added: "Everybody has been wonderful. It makes you realise what a special town we live in.

"I am sure that something good will come out of all this and I am just really looking forward to him coming home."

Christian is a former pupil of Holyrood Community School and works at Agusta-Westland in Yeovil.

THREE men were arrested following the assault but were later released on police bail.

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