Ollie Thomson’s recovery fund
Fundraising for Oliver Thomson following a serious rugby injury
Manawatu / Whanganui
On Saturday 25 May, Oliver had a serious injury while playing rugby in Taihape. He smashed his L1 vertebrae and was flown by rescue helicopter to Christchurch. Ollie had emergency surgery which went really well, but at this stage we don’t know if Ollie will get full function of his lower legs/feet again. Regardless, it’s a serious life changing injury and doctors advise that there will likely be around 5-6 months of rehabilitation at Burwood spinal unit in Christchurch. The family acknowledges the support received from the NZ Rugby Union Foundation, from the local rugby club, and of course there will be support from ACC.
However there will be lots of challenges ahead, including immediate financial pressures for the family as they temporarily relocate to Christchurch to support Ollie in his recovery.
Many friends have already asked how they can help. Ollie is receiving the best possible care from medical professionals at Burwood. However any help with the immediate financial pressures would be greatly appreciated.
If you would like to make a contribution to help Ollie and family, all funds received will go into a separate account to directly assist Ollie in his challenges ahead. Ollie wants to get back to his plumbing apprenticeship and get back to his flat and his independent life in Whanganui. Any amount you can contribute towards these goals would be gratefully received.
Rachael Trotter's involvement (page creator)
Ollie is my nephew.
Use of funds
This money will support Ollie’s recovery and support the family with the associated financial challenges with this, and being away from home.
Funds will be released to Susannah Thomson who is Ollie's mother
Latest update
Thank you from the Thomsons! 3 August 2024
Thank you 🥰. Ollie has arrived safely back to Whanganui to start the next stage of his rehabilitation, while he has made amazing progress in the last 2 months and exceeded expectations he is far from a full recovery and has a very challenging road ahead of him. We don’t know what recovery will look like for Ollie, how long this will take and what disabilities will remain permanent but we are very hopeful.
A massive Thank You to the Taihape St John 1st responders, Taihape Fire Brigade , Rescue Helicopter, Christchurch Hospital surgical team, Burwood Spinal Unit rehabilitation team, The Rugby Foundation, ACC and all the medical teams involved in Ollie’s treatment, it’s been outstanding.
We also wanted to say Thank You so much for all the kindness, support and generosity we have received during this time from all the donations on the Give a Little page, private donations of funds directly to us, support from the all the Rugby Clubs, Whanganui Rugby Union, Pine Park bull donation, PGG Wrightsons, Piping Hot Plumbing, Barracks Bar, the many working bees, mufti days, bingo night, Rugby jersey auction, gift and supermarket vouchers, many other fundraisers, sheep donated to the stock drive, providing meals for the family, sending care packages to Christchurch, looking after all our many animals, mowing the lawns, loaning vehicles to us to use in Christchurch, the many visitors, phone calls, messages and well wishes - it’s truly been amazing and we are forever grateful!
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