Kerry Singh, better known to former rugby teammates and friends as Huggy, was a member of the Balmy Beach RFC of Toronto in 1993 when he suffered a spinal cord injury while playing rugby. The injury resulted in quadriplegia and in 1994 the Balmy Beach Rugby Club, friends and family helped Huggy raise money to purchase a van that could be modified for him to drive. This helped him improve his quality of life and allowed him to enjoy his independence of mobility, but the van is nearly 16 years old now and in need of being replaced.
Rugby Canada and The Dog River Howlers teamed up to help Huggy raise $35,127,14 for his new wheelchair-accessible van. Graham Brown, CEO of Rugby Canada stated that, “Rugby Canada is happy to get behind Huggy and support his efforts to raise funds for a new van. The rugby community in Canada is a tight knit group and it’s encouraging to see that people from across the country are coming together to help a fellow rugby friend in need.” According to Karl Fix, President of The Dog River Howlers Rugby Club, whose motto is “it’s more than a game, it’s a way of life,” this effort falls in line with the meaning behind why the "We Stand on Guard for Thee" program was originally started. “Huggy took the risk that all players do when stepping on to the field. It’s unfortunate that he suffered such a severe life-changing injury and now it’s time for the rugby community to stand on guard for him in his time of need.”
Balmy Beach RFC spearheaded by Huggy's long time club mate Geoff Reynolds also held a fundraising dinner on September 22, 2012 which neted a further $27,000. This event featured Hockey Night In Canada's Ron McClean and legendary Irish international and British Lion rugby player Denis Hickie
Huggy had originally planned to hopefully raise the needed funds over a period 3 years. Instead the Canadian rugby community made this a reality for him in less than 6 months. He is now in the process of shopping for his new wheelchair accessible van.Thanks to everyone who was part of this "magic".
OH CANADA !!!! OH RUGBY !!!!
Rugby Canada and The Dog River Howlers teamed up to help Huggy raise $35,127,14 for his new wheelchair-accessible van. Graham Brown, CEO of Rugby Canada stated that, “Rugby Canada is happy to get behind Huggy and support his efforts to raise funds for a new van. The rugby community in Canada is a tight knit group and it’s encouraging to see that people from across the country are coming together to help a fellow rugby friend in need.” According to Karl Fix, President of The Dog River Howlers Rugby Club, whose motto is “it’s more than a game, it’s a way of life,” this effort falls in line with the meaning behind why the "We Stand on Guard for Thee" program was originally started. “Huggy took the risk that all players do when stepping on to the field. It’s unfortunate that he suffered such a severe life-changing injury and now it’s time for the rugby community to stand on guard for him in his time of need.”
Balmy Beach RFC spearheaded by Huggy's long time club mate Geoff Reynolds also held a fundraising dinner on September 22, 2012 which neted a further $27,000. This event featured Hockey Night In Canada's Ron McClean and legendary Irish international and British Lion rugby player Denis Hickie
Huggy had originally planned to hopefully raise the needed funds over a period 3 years. Instead the Canadian rugby community made this a reality for him in less than 6 months. He is now in the process of shopping for his new wheelchair accessible van.Thanks to everyone who was part of this "magic".
OH CANADA !!!! OH RUGBY !!!!
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