Rugby club raises thousands for teen player

A youth rugby team has said it will hold a tournament to fundraise for a humble and kind player who was rushed to hospital for emergency brain surgery.

Hugh, who captains Oswestry Rugby Club's boys under 15s, had an operation to remove a life-threatening tumour at Birmingham Children’s Hospital last week.

His shocked club have raised more than £6,800 via GoFundMe to help his family with travel and accommodation costs while Hugh recovers.

Coach Stewart Johnson said the news had "rocked everyone", adding: "The club are really close and they’ve been amazing in supporting us."

Friend Joe, 14, described Hugh as "that person you always want to be with".

“As a team-mate he’s always that guy that boosts your confidence, he’s always there either when we’re losing or when we’re winning," he said.

Mr Johnson said the second-row player "leads from the front".

"He’ll often be found tackling someone and then helping them back up to their feet and asking them how they are," he said.

"He’s a really unique boy and we’re really lucky to have him."

Surgeons were pleased with how the operation went, Mr Johnson said, adding Hugh was undergoing physio to address weakness in his right-hand side.

Oswestry Rugby Club is supporting Hugh's parents through the crowdfunder, an online auction and a tournament starting at 18:00 BST on Friday.

Clubs from Chester, Shrewsbury, Telford, Whitchurch and Meifod in Powys, Wales, have signed up to take part in the competition.

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