Rugby League supports Mose Masoe
Rugby League fans are being urged to buy ‘virtual tickets’ across the first weekend in April as the sport comes together in a huge fund-raising effort to support Mose Masoe.
It comes as a new charity, The Mose Masoe Foundation, is being launched to raise funds to help relieve the financial and mental hardship of players who suffer spinal injuries affecting their welfare and quality of life.
The former Samoan international, who suffered a career-ending and life-changing spinal injury last January when playing for Hull Kingston Rovers, will be the first beneficiary.
It is hoped the initial fundraising campaign will raise enough money to be able to help Mose, his partner Carissa and their three young children, daughters Evie-Rose and Marlowe and baby son Lui, whilst they are living in the UK and when they return home to Australia.
Fans can choose to donate either £5, £10, £15, or £20. The virtual tickets will be a donation only, as a gesture of solidarity within the Rugby League community, meaning a Sky Sports subscription is still required to watch the games as normal.
The 31-year-old has opened up to those close to him about the struggles he faces ahead – and how life differs from the ‘miracle man’ headlines generated last year when he took his first few steps.
The reality is Mose can still walk only a few unaided steps and any brief activity leaves him shattered. He still has no sensation or dexterity in his hands.
Indeed, his C4/C5 incomplete spinal cord injury led to him being diagnosed tetraplegic – one of the worst forms of paralysis – which means he has partial or total loss of use of all four limbs and torso.
Whilst some people experience improvements in symptoms, and others may regain partial or complete control over the affected areas with time, there is currently no way to reverse the damage done.
Carrisa has had to become his full-time carer, providing daily assistance with tasks such as personal hygiene and going to the toilet, as his and bladder and bowels do not function naturally.
Despite much-appreciated support from the Rugby League Benevolent Fund and Rugby League Cares already, Mose and his family are facing the prospect of potentially being left hundreds of thousands of pounds short of what they need to live in some form of comfort, even after an expected insurance payout.
Hearing the reality of his situation, friends and colleagues came together to quickly establish a team of Trustees and apply for charity status for the Foundation carrying his name.
It will firstly support him through helping cover the costs of things such as transport, home adaptations, ongoing rehabilitation, care and support.
Longer term, it will seek to continually raise funds to eventually support many other rugby players – of both codes and at all levels – whose lives are forever changed by similar spinal injuries, through grants and access to advocacy, advice, support and information.
Virtual Tickets can be bought now to start the huge fundraising effort
The ‘Virtual Ticket’ is the first money-raising effort announced, with those supporting Mose hopeful the togetherness of Rugby League will help raise a huge initial amount over the weekend of 1st-3rd April.
In the UK it is the ‘Round 2’ Easter weekend fixture schedule, which includes Wigan Warriors’ game against Wakefield Trinity and a clash between the two clubs Masoe represented in Super League, St Helens and Hull KR. The same weekend sees the UK’s Championship season start, with fans still not able to attend and support their clubs. They are being urged to purchase virtual tickets too.
In Australia the NRL will be into Round 4 of their season, with Mose’s former clubs in action as Penrith Panthers take on the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and Sydney Roosters facing the New Zealand Warriors.
To find out more about the Mose Masoe Foundation visit www.mosemasoefoundation.co.uk
How to buy your ‘virtual ticket’
Text 70085 and;
- 5MOSE to donate £5
- 10MOSE to donate £10
- 15MOSE to donate £15
- 20MOSE to donate £20
Texts cost amount donated plus one standard rate message.
