Fundraiser for injured Rugby stalwart

By Frank Neill

The Wainuiomata Rugby Football Club is running two raffles to help one its members who was seriously injured on 18 April.

Josh Bowles fell five metres and sustained critical injuries including broken legs, hand, spine in two places, and facial injuries along with having part of his skull removed to relieve pressure on his brain.

After several surgeries in Wellington Josh was transferred to Burwood Spinal Unit for more specialised treatment and rehabilitation.

He is facing a long road to recovery from the life changing injuries, which includes being blind in one eye.

“Josh has a wonderful partner in April along with five young children who split their time between home and Christchurch which puts a huge financial strain on the family with their rock and bread winner out of action,” Gerard Eising, the Wainuiomata Rugby Football Club’s Chair, says.

The club is responding to this by running two raffles “with all funds going to Josh Bowles and his family as they go through a very challenging time”.

Josh is the son of Warren (Lawn) Bowles and has been both a junior and senior player for the club as well as coaching junior sides over the years.

The first raffle sold out around a week after it was launched, raising just over $4,000, “which is awesome,” Gerard says.

“It sold out much quicker than I expected.

“The support for Josh has been amazing. That’s what Wainuiomata’s about – supporting our own.”

The first raffle will be drawn on Friday 23 June at the Wainuiomata Rugby clubrooms.

The second raffle to assist Josh and his whanau will be launched in the next week or two and will bring the total raised to just over $5,000.

Tickets in the second raffle will be avail- able for $10 and there will be five prizes. One of the prizes will be Tyrel Lomax’ Hurricanes playing jersey, the one he wore on the field.

Another prize will be a $50 voucher from the Winchester Club and a third will be an hour ride on a trike bike.

Details about the raffle and how people can enter will be posted on the Facebook page of Wainuiomata Rugby Football Club 1946.