An Ottawa father of three who was paralyzed after taking a fall during a pickup hockey game last weekend is starting to regain slight mobility in his arms and hands.

After being told he may never walk again, Rene Faucher has made progress with his rehabilitation.

Although he still can't move his legs, his wife Dianne Douglas told CTV Ottawa on Friday that he's been able to make slight movements in his arms and fingers.

However, doctors say it's still too early to determine if he'll regain full mobility.

Faucher, 40, suffered a serious spinal cord injury when he went head-first into the boards during a pickup hockey game over the weekend. Although he was wearing a helmet, his injuries are severe.

Faucher and his wife have three children under the age of five. He is self-employed and does not have long-term disability insurance.

"Dianne is the strongest woman I know, she's amazing," said Jennifer McGahan, who is a close friend of the family.

"She's keeping it together and everybody is trying to be positive because Rene is a fighter, he's very positive and he believes that he's going to beat the odds."

Since his injury, the family has been overwhelmed with an outpouring of support from the community.

The Stittsville Minor Hockey Association is holding a pub night Friday to raise money for Faucher and his family at Local Heroes on Main Street in Stittsville at 8 p.m.

A fundraiser is also planned at Foundation Restaurant at 7 p.m. on March 3. All proceeds from both events will be deposited into a trust fund for the family.

Those wishing to make a donation directly to the trust fund can do so at any Scotiabank branch. Donations can be made to the Faucher Douglas Trust Fund, branch 25486, account 0016713.

Cheques payable to the "Faucher Douglas Trust Fund" can also be mailed to the attention of Russ Reil at Scotiabank, Markdale, Ont., N0C 1H0.