Thousands get behind Ryan Wiggins ahead of Riewoldt’s Ride for Ryan

An emotional Ryan Wiggins has shared an emotional ‘thank you’ from hospital as his family and the community rallies in the wake of his severe spinal injury. RYAN’S MESSAGE >>

AN emotional Ryan Wiggins has spoken of the “overwhelming” support of his family and the community as he remains in hospital with a severe spinal injury.

Wiggins, 26, a talented and popular footballer with Cygnet, was injured in a devastating off-field accident in July.

His plight captured the attention of many, including Richmond AFL star and fellow Tasmanian Jack Riewoldt.

Riewoldt is assisting Mr Wiggins and his family, taking part in the fundraising “Ride for Ryan”.

“All the support has been so overwhelming. I can’t thank people enough for their generosity,” Mr Wiggins told the Mercury.

“Jack has been such an amazing support and I’m so grateful for the friendship we have ­created.”

To donate visit www.rideforryan.co

Thousands get behind footy star ahead of charity ride

FOOTBALL star Jack Riewoldt’s upcoming fundraising bike ride across Tasmania for recovering Cygnet footballer Ryan Wiggins is close to reaching $50,000 of its $100,000 goal despite still being two weeks away from taking place.

“Ride for Ryan’ will see Riewoldt ride 284km from Devonport to Hobart on December 19 to raise vital funds for the recovery and rehabilitation of Wiggins, 26, who survived a devastating, non-football related spinal injury in July that resulted in a near-fatal C2 fracture to his spinal cord and left him a quadriplegic.

Richmond footballer Jack Riewoldt will ride across Tasmania as part of the Ride for Ryan in support of Tassie footballer Ryan Wiggins who suffered a spinal injury from an accident and is now quadriplegic. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Riewoldt announced in Hobart on Friday that he was already nearing in on $50,000 of his $100,000 target.

“I’m really proud to announce that Fairbrother have donated $20,000 to the Ride for Ryan and Hartz have donated $7,500 … combine that with some other great sponsors that have come on board and I’m very close to $50,000 and we only launched a week or two ago which is amazing,” Riewoldt said.

Riewoldt said he was blown away by the community support for the fundraising event.

“The generosity is just amazing and I can’t thank the Tasmanian community enough,” Riewoldt said.

“It’s great to be in Ryan’s corner and I’ve been so well supported by his family and friends and my friends and family and people here in the community and it’s something that I’m really proud to do.”

Ryan Wiggins celebrates a goal while playing for Cygnet against Huonville on Saturday April 17th. Photo courtesy of David Clark Photos.

“What started off as a bit of an up and down idea has now turned into this and I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to do it.

“Ultimately it’s for Ryan and opening every door possible for him to give him the funds possible to do that and I just want to raise enough money for him to have any avenue open to him and no door is ever shut for him.

“If he needs money to try something else to get himself better or even just to help himself in everyday life then that’s what this money is for.”

Footy legend Jack Riewoldt visits Ryan Wiggins in hospital. Pic: Instagram / @riewoldtjack08

Riewoldt said the funds raised would allow for specialised equipment to help Ryan and also allow him to get the best treatment possible.

“Not many people out there have got a $20,000 chair or a $20,000 bed and that’s what it cost for someone to get those things for someone who has a disability like quadriplegia.

“It’s a very expensive thing but a necessity for someone like Ryan who doesn’t have full function so my goal is to send Ryan to the Craig Institute in Denver Colorado where they deal with people in Ryan’s situation and getting him better and getting his life back.”

To donate visit www.rideforryan.co