A CHARITY has offered to make up an insurance payout an injured paratrooper stands to lose because he was filmed carrying the Carling Cup on to the pitch at a Wembley final.

Private Dave Tatlock, of Colchester-based 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment, was offered the honour of putting the trophy on its pitchside plinth before his team, Manchester United, beat Aston Villa.

Specialist military insurer Abacus saw footage of his unaided walk at February’s final and is now reviewing a £25,000 claim for loss of use of his left foot.

However, the JJ Memorial Fund, set up in memory of Private Jeff “JJ” Doherty, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2008, has offered to pay if the insurance company refuses him. Pte Doherty’s father, Jeff, said: “It’s disgraceful how they have acted towards Dave.

“He’s a paratrooper and needs help. That’s what our charity is about.

“Were only a small charity and have about £21,000 to hand. This would take all our money, but we’ll just start fundraising again.”

The two soldiers were comrades in arms in Afghanistan with 2 Para’s C Company.

Pte Tatlock was left temporarily paralysed after he was hit by wayward rounds from an Apache attack helicopter.

Medics warned him he could be stuck in a wheelchair for life as a result.

Mr Doherty said Pte Tatlock had “really had to put the effort in” to walk carrying the trophy.

He added: “Under his uniform, he had splints on his legs. If you look at the pictures from Wembley, there’s someone standing just behind him with a walking stick in case he fell.”

A statement on Abacus’ website said the firm had made “very significant payments” to Pte Tatlock and a further claim remained “under review as we await further medical advice”.