Former Romsey Rugby Club player Sam Newman has suffered a severe spinal injury, after falling from height during a tour in Ireland with his university team.

Due to the fall, on February 3, Sam sustained a fracture to his T12 vertebra, fractures to both hands, a dislocation to his left wrist and a fracture to his pelvis.

According to family friend Darren Buckley, Sam is in a stable condition, while considerable pain and movement in his fingers and toes leaves hope for less long-term damage than feared. 

Sam’s parents Barrie and Alice have flown out to Dublin to support him at St James Hospital throughout the recovery from his injury.

Romsey Rugby Club has set up a fundraiser to support the Newman family with the cost of travelling and staying with their son as he awaits surgery.

Mr Buckley wrote on the fundraiser page: “I ask you all to give where you can to a family that has given so much to the Romsey Rugby community over the many years, they have been part of the Romsey rugby family.

“The funds will be used to support the family's travel and accommodation costs at this extremely challenging time so they can stay close to Sam.”

The GoFundMe page has seen a huge swell of support as the original goal of £5,000 was reached only 14 hours after the fundraiser’s creation. 

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At the time of writing the fundraiser has raised £7,265 in support of the Newman family.

Mr Buckley has provided an update on the GoFundMe page: “Thank you all for your support, it is truly inspiring how quickly a community can rally round when needed. I have just come off the phone with Baz and Alice and they have let me know that Sam has today had a lengthy surgery on his back and the surgeon has reported that ‘it all went well’. More surgeries to come but that is the biggest one done.”

Fundraiser organiser Tristan Pattison said: “We’re doing what little we can, for Barrie and Alice, we don’t know how much cost this is going to involve for them. Sam is receiving first class specialist care, so we hope for the best.”

“I’m really amazed to reach the goal, the support from the community is great, they all got behind the family, who have done a lot of work in and around the club.”

To donate to the fundraiser, visit gofundme.com/f/sam-newman-spinal-injury.