RUGBY memorabilia – including signed shirts by top England and international players – is being auctioned off in aid of a £900,000 appeal to help fund spine surgery for Coventry schoolgirl Macy Handley.
The 12-year-old, whose dreams of becoming a professional ice skater have been hampered by a devastating spine-curving condition called idiopathic scoliosis, would be suited to a newer, alternative treatment, Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT) – not available on the NHS or covered by medical insurance.
Macy’s mum Kerry, a sergeant in West Midlands Police’s Public Protection Unit, and dad Toby, also a serving police officer and member of Stourbridge Rugby team, launched the campaign to raise the money needed for VBT, as reported by the Observer.
It has now reached £88,000 – close to reaching their target. This includes a £5,000 donation from the West Midlands Police Benevolent Fund, £150 raised by Macy’s best friend in a sponsored 10k bike ride and a raffle at Coundon Court School organised by a Year 9 pupil raising £235.
The sports auction running on Facebook until Monday April 26 features signed shirts by players including Tom Wood (Northampton), England scrum half and Harlequins player Danny Care, Ian Madigan, (Bristol, Ulster rugby and Ireland) and New Zealand rugby union player Rudi Wulf, who has also donated boots.
There are team shirts too signed by Saracens, Wasps and The Sharks, a South African professional rugby team.
A post on the Macy Sports Auction Facebook page said: “We are auctioning off some sports memorabilia to raise money for Macy Handley to have a life-changing operation on her spine. Thank you so much to the people who donated the sports memorabilia. Please feel free to put an offer on things. All proceeds go towards the surgery and post-care.”
Mum Kerry said they will be “forever grateful” for the support received. She said: “Every single donation has put us in a position where we’re able to book Macy’s surgery.”
To donate to Macy’s campaign click here.
