CROWDFUNDER SEEKS TO RAISE £20,000 FOR PARALYSED ISLE OF WIGHT RUGBY PLAYER LUKE ORTON

The parents of paralysed rugby player Luke Orton are crowdfunding to raise £20,000 for the adaptations needed to get their son home after a rugby accident left him without the use of his hands. Luke suffered a serious life-changing injury on 22nd July last year while taking part in the South Island Sevens event at Appley Beach. He suffered a broken neck, also suffering spinal cord damage, including a bleed, leaving him paralysed from the chest down and without the use of his hands. Luke has been hospitalised since the accident. He spent 6 weeks in Southampton ICU spinal unit before being transferred to Salisbury District Hospital Spinal Treatment Centre, where he is undergoing rehab. Sadly, Luke will be heading home in a wheelchair, with little chance of ever walking again. His parents, Tony and Lesley Orton, have said:

“Luke is looking forward to coming home next year and for this to happen, we need to raise funds for adaptations for  areas in the home, some of which are not covered by the local authority. “All the money raised here will go entirely towards the adaptations for Luke’s needs. We would really appreciate any contributions, whatever the amount. “We would also welcome any offer of labour with the work, whatever time you could spare and the possible supply of any materials, either from small local businesses or local suppliers – please send a message via the fundraiser page.”

To help raise funds visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Lukeshomefund. The crowdfunding has raised £1,330 at the time of publication (Monday), 6% of the target set.