"The Rugby Foundation, were literally life savers for our whānau when my husband, Aisea, suffered a hangman fracture (broken C1 C2) in his neck after a Pasifika rugby game.

It was a very scary time for us with a toddler and a newborn baby and Daddy having to be flown down to Wellington spinal unit where they assessed and cared for him after his accident.

As soon as The Rugby Foundation made contact with me, I felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders, not only a financial relief but someone that knew what they were talking about, understood what we were facing and offered the right words and support we were needing at the time.

My husband’s recovery was slow and after a year of treatment, he needed to have a spinal fusion, which meant another 6 months of recovery.

We are incredibly blessed that Aisea was able to make a near full recovery and is now back at work, doing what he loves as a Corrections Officer. The year and a half we journeyed through this injury, The Foundation have backed us like no other and we can’t express how grateful we are for all their support, especially helping relieve the financial burden of a reduced income.

Mālō āupito, thank you so much. You will forever have a place in our hearts.

Kia pai tō rā

Ngā mihi nui"

Becks Vaivela

Article added: Tuesday 05 March 2024