More than 600 people attended the Spinal Road 2 Recovery fundraising auction night at Settlers Inn Hotel on October 12.

Around 200 auction items were up for grabs with patrons raising around $85,000 to $90,000 on the night.

The local larrikin and former carpenter said it was a wonderful show of community support.

"The fundraiser went unreal, it was one of the best nights I've probably ever had in my life," said Mr O'Brien.

"It will be going towards a self-contained granny flat (in his parent's backyard) and maybe with a little bit left over go towards a car. I've designed the flat myself.

"People are calling me up everyday, dad and mum have been right by my side every day. My friends are helping out and pushing me forward.

"The journey has been hard some days but most of the days have been pretty good. I'm just keeping a positive attitude the whole way through.

"I'm working at getting my fitness back to what it was and my goal is getting back out there fishing. Sometime down the track I want to get back into work, when I can get around a bit easier.

"I don't know yet what I'll do for work but once I'm ready to go I'll ring around and see who wants me.

"I'd like to thank friends, family, the community and companies for getting behind me."

The Hastings District Fishing Club and Port Macquarie Game Fishing Club member broke his back at the T9 vertebrae in a boating accident on April 14.

He and two other severely injured fishermen were rescued by Marine Rescue Port Macquarie off Crescent Head after their boat sank.

"It's gone way back into my brain, I can only remember the bright lights of the boat and me holding onto this bloke and never letting go," said Mr O'Brien.

He would later undergo daily rehabilitation gym sessions at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney.

The fundraiser on October 12 was organised by Ben Archer, Grant and Lyn Lugg, Jason Isaac, Rikki and Kodi Baird. Auction items were collected by Ned Kelly's Bait and Tackle shop.

"I thought if we could get $50,000 to help him out, I was going to be over the moon but now I'm really over the moon," said Mr Lugg.

"He's a really well liked young fella. Lyn and I have fished with him in Australian fishing titles for many years.

"He's got a great string of fishing mates which got the word out."

Donated auction items included a Harbour Bridge Climb, a record breaking 220.6kg taxidermy marlin speared by local Travis Corkin, a 2008 World Cup jersey and 2013 grand final team signed Roosters jersey.

The major raffle was a trip for two to Lord Howe Island with flights and accommodation.

Other items included a Greater Western Sydney Giants 2017 signed jersey, two adult Sydney Harbour Bridge climb experiences, a Gold Coast Suns signed AFL jersey and a 2008 signed Queensland Reds jersey.

Crowds were entertained by musician Chris Rose and auctioneer John Corrigan who donated their time for the event.

"It was just packed, there were people everywhere because everyone knows Mick," said Mrs Lugg.

"We didn't think they would all turn up but they did. We had a line 20 to 50 metres long to buy raffle tickets."

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