One lower league footballer has tragically lost both of his legs after being involved in a car crash.
Shaun Whiter was forced to have both his legs amputated below the knee in order to save his life after he went to help his friend change a tire, and was ploughed into by another car on Dullingham Road, Newmarket, Suffolk.
He had gone to help his friend Joey Abbs, and was wearing a high visibility jacket, with his hazard lights flashing, in order to make sure he was easily visible to other motorists, yet one hit and run driver failed to see the men, and drove into them.
His friend Joey has also suffered serious injuries, after sustaining muscle damage to one leg, and both men will now see their lives changed massively.
Shaun was due to report for pre-season training with Newmarket Town, with Abbs playing for Soham Town Rangers. Shaun’s footballing future is now changed irrevocably, with Joey’s in serious doubt.
Shaun’s family have now set up a Crowdfunding page to raise £120,000 for his rehabilitation and equipment he will need, and his fiance Charlotte Way said he was already thinking about the Paralympics in 2020.
The keen sportsman has raised thousands of pounds for others in need throughout his life, and now the time has come for others to help him.
She added:
The first thing he asked me when he woke up was ‘are we still getting married’.
I told him of course we are, try and stop me!
Inspirational Shaun then said he was determined to walk down the aisle, with the wedding set for July next year – and with such a strong attitude to guide him during the tough road ahead, no one is putting anything past him.
Shaun, who is currently recovering in Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, posted a message of thanks to all his supporters, and said:
I want to say a massive thank you to each and everyone for the messages of support.
I can’t get through them all with responses; it’s an amazing feeling knowing each and everyone of you are there for support and thank you so much. I want to thank all family members that have helped us so much and with out them I don’t know where I would be.
This is the same for both friends and the Cambridge Addenbroke’s nurses. We are 100 per cent fighting to get out of this place and will be with you shortly, but again please keep the visiting up, we love it.
If you want to donate to Shaun’s fund, click on this link and please give what you can.
Police are keen to speak to the driver of the Ford Focus, who left the scene of the accident on Friday night, and anyone with any information can call Crimestoppers on 0800555111 or visit their website.
