As you may or may not be aware a young Sligo Rugby Club player, our New Zealand outhalf Paddy Pearson was badly burned in an incident in Sligo just before Halloween. His heroic efforts saved his team-mate and tragically led to his own injury.

We are glad to report that Paddy is making progress in hospital in Galway where he is receiving ongoing medical attention. It looks like he will have to have a number of skin-graft operations for his injuries and this may well take him several years to recover from.

As a carpenter, the use of his hands is critical to Paddy’s livelihood. This is something that is of ongoing concern to him and those close to him in securing an income for the future.

We (Sligo RFC) have put together a fundraising group and have organised a Race Night in The Strand bar, Strandhill, Co. Sligo on Friday November 28th at 8:30pm. The first race is off at 9pm and we hope to have a rugby memorabilia auction on the night.

There are several ways you can help – firstly, if you find yourself in Galway – please visit Paddy at the hospital, you don’t have to know him, just let him know that you know of him. Secondly and perhaps more importantly we need to try to raise as much funds as we can in the upcoming fundraiser – following are the ways you can help financially;

•   Sponsor a race for €100
•   Buy a horse, jockey or trainer for €20 each
•   Take an ad in the booklet – full page €250
•   Come along and support the function on the night (and place a little wager on the races)
•   Bid on some very interesting items in the rugby memorabilia auction
•   Donate a prize for the raffle on the night
•   Make a cash/cheque donation to the fund

We are creating a new account in the name of Sligo RFC – Paddy Pearson fund. Please make all cheques payable to ‘Sligo RFC – Paddy Pearson fund’. The account will be administered by the Club President and the Hon. Treasurer. Please send any sponsorship, race funds or donations to Rory Raftery, Anvil House, Burton Street, Sligo.

The rugby club website will be carrying an article on the event shortly – www.sligorfc.ie

For further information please feel free to contact me. Attached please find the poster for the event – if you have a place for it please put it up. Please pass on this email to anyone that you think might be interested in supporting the event!

Many thanks in advance of your generous support!

This story has been covered TV3 News in New Zealand today (13/11/08)

TV3 News article