FRIENDS of a man who died after falling 50ft down a lift shaft have described him as an incredible person and a loving family man.

Paul Dolphin, 35, of Grange Park, suffered a broken skull and broken ankle and ribs when he fell at Newlands Shopping Centre in Kettering, in Northampton-shire, on April 22.

A fundraising site has been set up in memory of the father-of-one who died in hospital on Friday, and it has seen more than £2,130 donated so far.

Matt Jackson, who met Paul 15 years ago when they were both working at Cellular Operations, helped to set up the website.

“He was a hugely popular guy and a real can-do person,” he said.

“He was very positive and had a huge impact on many people.”

“He was everyone’s mate. He was there for everyone and was just an incredible person and a kind, loving family man.

“He inspired everyone and was always so good at keeping everyone together in terms of friends over the years.

“There will be a lot of people in town who will really miss him.”

Paul, who was a former Hreod Parkway School student, set up Swindon-based subcontractor Superior Access Solutions, in Rodbourne Road.

Paul also used to babysit for former Swindon Town player Paul Bodin’s children, and he still kept in touch.

“He was a smashing lad and will be sorely missed by family and friends,” said Paul.

“For someone so young, for his life to be taken like that is very sad.”

“He was a very successful businessman and a great lad.”

Money donated through the fundraising site set up in Paul’s memory will be split between the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance and and the Help For Heroes charity.

Friends said the air ambulance airlifted Paul from the scene, giving him the remotest chance of survival, and allowed some of them the chance to visit his bedside and say goodbye.

And Help For Heroes was a charity and cause very close to Paul’s heart as he was the son of a soldier and spent the first 18 years of his life as an Army child.

His grandfather was also in the Army and Paul was wearing a Help For Heroes wristband when he died.

To make a donation in Paul’s memory log on to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/we_all_loved_dolph.