Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'Heartbroken' player's emotional video pays for £10k medical bill

(Photo by Ryan Hiscott/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

Exeter lock Charlie Willett has successfully raised enough funds to pay the hefty medical bill she was left with after suffering a horrible knee injury when representing the Ireland rugby league team earlier this month. In an emotional video that she described as the hardest she ever had to record, the 27-year-old explained she had never felt so let down by sport.

ADVERTISEMENT

Appearing on crutches in tearful TikTok footage, Willett said: “I tore my meniscus in two places and dislocated my knee playing Test match rugby league for Ireland and now I have a £10,000 medical bill that I can’t pay.

“Rugby League Ireland had told me before I had agreed to play any Test matches that there was medical cover. I am a full-time athlete so it was really important to me but now that I am injured, they have said they are actually not going to pay for it.

Video Spacer
Video Spacer

“They have offered me a pretty small amount of money towards it but it by no means covers any sort of surgery. I am just heartbroken. My only option at the moment is a gofundme page. I don’t know why but I feel really embarrassed saying this, but I’ll put the link in my bio if anyone wants to help. I know I am going to come back stronger from this but right now it’s really hard.”

On her gofundmepage, Willett added: “Exeter Chiefs have supported my initial rehab process and will provide the necessary care post-surgery. As this injury was sustained whilst playing for Ireland, Exeter Chiefs cannot assist further.

Watch on TikTok

“Last year I gave up my full-time career as a sports lawyer to pursue rugby. Alongside full-time training, I work as a freelancer and collaborator with multiple brands to amplify the stories within women’s rugby. In the few weeks since the injury, I have lost more than £1,500 worth of work as a result and until I am mobile these losses are likely to continue.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Despite physical, emotional and financial distress, I am hopeful that I will make a full return to elite rugby and show more young girls and women the life-changing power of sports.”

Having started the fund-raiser at the start of this week, Willett woke up on Saturday to learn that the £10,000 target had been surpassed as 559 donations had committed a total of £10,527.

ADVERTISEMENT

Argentina v France | HSBC SVNS Hong Kong 2025 | Men's Match Highlights

New Zealand v Australia | HSBC SVNS Hong Kong 2025 | Women's Match Highlights

Tokyo Sungoliath vs Shizuoka BlueRevs | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

Reds vs Force | Super Rugby W 2025 | Full Match Replay

Behind the Scenes with the Australian Rugby Sevens Team in Hong Kong | HSBC SVNS Embedded | Episode 9

The Rise of Kenya | The Report

New Zealand in Hong Kong | Brady Rush | Sevens Wonders | Episode 4

The Fixture: How This Rugby Rivalry Has Lasted 59 Years

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

1 Comment
K
Kevin 885 days ago

Surely the elephant in the room hasn't been addressed here, why are Rugby League Ireland not fulfilling their duty to this player?

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
Blackmania 1 hour ago
‘Current form doesn’t matter’: Commentator on potential All Blacks midfield

I don’t really share Johnson’s opinion. Nothing better than Tupaea and Lienert-Brown in NZ? It’s a good duo, and he wouldn’t look out of place, but I think we can do better. Tavatavanawai seems superior to Tupaea at 12. He’s a brute force, who makes few mistakes (which can still be criticized in Tupaea), formidable both with and without the ball in close contact. I can see him playing with Proctor. On paper, this combination would be very, very interesting, in the same philosophy as the iconic Nonu/C Smith duo.

Anyway, I remain convinced that in Razor’s mind, Jordie Barrett is indispensable at center, and he could quickly team up with Leicester Fainga’anuku. I’m betting on that in the near future.

However, a Tavatanawai/Proctor duo would be very interesting. Ennor also seems to be a good option instead of Proctor, who still hasn’t played this season. But Ennor has only played one match... he needs to be seen again and get some game time. There is a lot of talent in New Zealand in these two positions. The hardest part will be cutting players who could make a difference for many teams. The choices are going to be tough. If I had to make a bold bet, and unlike Johnson, I don’t see Tupaea being selected, and I imagine ALB could be in a tight spot against Proctor and Ennor if they are fit.

I imagine Jordie, Havili, Rieko, and Fainga'anuku with Tavatavanawai. Ennor or Proctor if Fainga'anuku is not selected in July. And ALB if Jordie is rested

4 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Duhan van der Merwe's Lions tour thrown into doubt Edinburgh face anxious wait over Duhan van der Merwe
Search