Chris Wilcox’s neck injury was a “reality check” for many footy players but the Narromine family and the wider rugby league community has rallied to support sidelined Jet.
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Wilcox suffered a neck injury on June 4 when playing for the Jets against Wellington and after being rushed to hospital in Sydney fears of a life-changing injury were allayed and he was transported to Dubbo and then on to Narromine hospital.
The tough forward remains in a neck brace and is expected to be off work for another three months.
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That is causing financial hardship for Wilcox and his young family but the Jets have been doing all they can to help and a fundraiser night will be held at the Narromine USMC on July 20.
“His prognosis for recovery is positive but he’s still got a long road ahead and he’s still in the neck brace,” Jets’ committee member Sally Everett said, before speaking about the day Wilcox was injured.
“It was a bit of a reality check. You know there’s a risk every time you play but you don’t expect it to happen and he’s a young first grade players will a family so it’s been a difficult time for them.”
The fundraiser is shaping as a fun night for all involved with leading stand-up comedian Kevin Kropinyeri to perform while a huge amount of items, many from NRL clubs, will be up for grabs in raffles and an auction.
Kropinyeri is a well-known stand-up, having performed atthe Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow Tour, Adelaide Fringe Festival and on Channel 7’s Weekend Sunrise program.
“It’s not often we get this calibre of entertainment in the western area, let alone Narromine,” Everett said.
Everett said the work her club had done in assisting Wilcox was just the latest example of the way the Jets and the close-knit community have worked together for many years.
“It’s one of the strengths of the Jets, the club is a family,” Everett said.
“We pride ourselves on doing a lot of work in the community and you saw that with the working bee on the (Cale Oval) grandstand in pre-season as a bonding day and this Saturday we’ve got our charity day and we’re supporting three local charities there.
“That’s been running since 2004. We always want to help our community.”
The community has, in turn, been helping the Jets and Wilcox and Everett said the Royal Hotel deserved a huge amount of thanks for the fundraising work it had already been doing.
Tickets are still on sale for the fundraising night, which starts from 6.30pm on Friday, July 20.
Tickets are $50 and available from the Narromine USMC, the Royal Hotel on Dandaloo St or by contacting the Narromine Jets Senior Rugby League Facebook page.