Boy paralysed from a collision with a rival participant

Declan McDonald might by no means stroll once more after horrific accident on the pitch

A teenage footballer might by no means stroll once more after struggling a damaged neck following a collision with a rival participant.

Declan McDonald, 16, sustained the horrific harm whereas taking part in for Airdrie and Coatbridge Rovers final Saturday.

Declan, whose spinal wire was additionally broken, underwent a ten-hour operation on the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. 

His staff have offered updates on behalf of his household in a collection of social media posts. A fundraising drive has additionally been launched.

The membership mentioned: ‘Declan has suffered a damaged neck and has no sensation from the shoulders down because the incident.’

The assertion went on to say ‘the present prognosis is Declan is very unlikely to ever have the ability to stroll once more, hopefully with rehab and physio he’ll regain some feeling/use of his arms and fingers. We will submit extra data as it’s out there however the membership asks in case you can hold Declan in your ideas and prayers over the approaching weeks and months as he continues his rehabilitation.’

Declan, entrance proper, together with his Airdrie and Coatbridge Rovers teammates

The membership added: ‘Declan’s team-mates, as devastated as all of them are, have put this fundraiser collectively as they needed to do one thing and on prime of this we’re being requested by many if they’ll donate.

‘As a membership we’re holding discussions and can announce plans quickly to do one thing for Declan and can announce it within the very close to future.’

A second assertion mentioned: ‘As each Declan’s stepdad and the coach of the staff I want to thank the boys/mother and father of the staff and everybody concerned at EK Burgh [East Kilbride Burgh United] for serving to as greatest they might on the day.’

A GoFundMe web page has already collected greater than £30,000 and social media has been flooded with messages of assist, together with from different groups. Coatbridge Football Club posted: ‘Heart-breaking information. Everyone at Coatbridge FC pondering of Declan & his household, associates, teammates & coaches.’

The fundraising web page is at https://www.gofundme.com/f/s gzkgb-declans-recovery