Old Northamptonians rugby players raise more than £1K to thank the air ambulance for attending on-pitch emergency

A Northampton rugby club has raised more than £1,000 for the air ambulance that was on hand when a ‘freak accident’ happened during a match in January. Old Northamptonians players for all four of the club’s teams wore yellow socks during a weekend of fixtures to represent the air ambulance.

The club also organised a raffle in order to reach a fundraising total of £1,725.88.

Richard Bosworth, first team manager, said: “The first, second, third and ladies’ teams all played that weekend.

“They wore yellow socks to represent the air ambulance. We asked for a £10 donation.

“Our first team played Towcester and they also got behind the idea and wore yellow socks too.

“We wanted to do this because although it wasn’t used in the end, the air ambulance was called for one of our players.

“It was needed at the time and we know it’s expensive to run, so we wanted to give back.”

In January when ON’s first team played an away fixture at Syston in Leicestershire there was a ‘freak accident’ between two of their players.

The captain fractured his jaw in multiple places and another player was knocked out on the pitch and started having a seizure.

The air ambulance was called due to the seizure but was not needed as the player was taken to hospital via road ambulance.

Richard added: “Both of them have made a really good recovery.

“The lad who had the seizure is due to play his first game back this weekend and the captain is a few weeks away.

“Both have recovered well and will hopefully play a strong part at the end of the season.

“We wanted to thank the air ambulance for all the hard work they do and for being there even if we didn’t end up using them.”

To show their appreciation and to learn more about what the Air Ambulance Service does, a group of ON’s players visited the Coventry base.

The team also presented a cheque of the cash they raised to the air ambulance staff.

“We had a tour and a talk,” Richard continued.

“It was interesting to see what they do and the boys had a great day.

“First team members went including the two who were injured.

“It was good for the two that haven’t been able to play to have a day out.”

Since the accident in January, the fixture between Syston and ON’s has been replayed.

Richard and the rest of ON's are grateful to the home team for allowing this to happen and also for all their help on the day.