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.

@charlierugby_

Heartbroken doesn’t cut it ???? I have never felt so let down and alone in my life #StemDrop001 #rugbytok #rugby #rugbygirl

? Say Something – Piano Covers Club from I’m in Records

“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

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

1 Comment
K
Kevin 756 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

LONG READ
LONG READ Gatland defiant but Welsh rugby no nearer escape route with Springboks looming Gatland defiant but Welsh rugby no nearer escape route with Springboks looming
Search