A fundraiser set up to help raise money to adapt an Isle of Wight rugby player’s home following a horror rugby injury which left him paralysed last year has reached its target.
Luke Orton suffered a life-changing rugby injury while taking part in a beach rugby tournament in Appley last July, breaking his C5 vertebrae and leaving him paralysed from the chest down without the use of his hands.
He spent six weeks in ICU at Southampton General and has been undergoing rehabilitation at Salisbury District Hospital.
Hospitalised ever since the accident, Luke remains positive as he considers his wheelchair-bound future.
In November, the County Press spoke to Luke's parents, who recounted what happened as spectators watching their son play the sport he loved.
Luke is looking forward to coming home soon, and for this to happen, the family sought to raise funds to adapt his home to his needs.
A JustGiving page was set up by his parents to raise £20,000, and 502 supporters have been able to raise a total of £24,420. All the money raised will go entirely towards the adaptations.
The JustGiving is still active, and you can support Luke by following this link: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Lukeshomefund
Sandown and Shanklin RFC, Luke’s rugby team, will host a fundraising day on February 24, with matches, a charity dinner, grand auction and a raffle to raise money towards Luke’s building costs.
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