Footy legend Jack Riewoldt to hit bike to raise money for injured Cygnet player

A Tasmanian AFL legend has visited a fallen local star in rehab as he prepares to set out on an amazing act of charity to raise funds for Ryan’s long road to recovery. DETAILS + DONATE >>

A Tasmanian AFL legend has taken to Instagram to share a special moment with local footy star Ryan Wiggins who is recovering from a devastating spinal injury that left him quadriplegic.

Jack Riewoldt visited the 26-year-old in hospital in Tasmania yesterday as he prepares to ride across the state later this month in a bid to raise funds for Wiggins’ recovery and rehabilitation.

“The man here is the reason I’m riding from Devonport to Hobart on the 19th of December” said Riewoldt.

“It was so great to see him today and we shared a few laughs. Let the training continue and the donations flow in!!”

“Thank you so much for your ongoing support truly means a lot,” Wiggins replied in the comments.

$15,000 has already been donated 18 days out from the ride with Riewoldt hoping to raise a total of $100,000 on the 284km trek.

Follow his journey and donate on the Ride for Ryan website here.

Riewoldt’s amazing act of charity for fallen local footy star

FOOTY legend Jack Riewoldt will ride across Tasmania next month to raise funds for a local builder and Cygnet Football Club player who is facing a long road to recovery.

In July, Ryan Wiggins, 26, suffered a devastating spinal injury that resulted in a near-fatal C2 fracture to his spinal cord and left him a quadriplegic.

Wiggins, who also played for the Lauderdale Bombers, spent five months in hospital in Melbourne but recently returned home to Tasmania to continue his recovery and rehabilitation.

The Wiggins his family face a long road ahead.

Ryan Wiggins in action for Cygnet earlier this year before his off-field injury. Picture: David Clark Photos

At the time of his off-field injury, Ryan Wiggins’ sister Caitlyn said he was not the sort of bloke prone to sitting around.

“Never one to sit still, this change in life will hit Ryan and those around him particularly hard,” she said.

“If not working as a builder or renovating he and his fiancee Micki’s home, you’d find Ryan training or playing football, catching up with mates, planning a wedding and walking his fur babies.”

Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt will set off from Devonport and ride to Hobart to raise funds for Ryan Wiggins. Picture: Michael Klein

Riewoldt is hoping to raise $100,000 through his 284km Ride for Ryan bike ride from Devonport to Hobart.

All funds raised will go towards Wiggins’s rehabilitation essentials, house renovations and expert care.

“The ultimate goal is to raise enough money to fund a trip to world-renowned Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado, to support Ryan’s spinal rehabilitation,” Riewoldt said.

Riewoldt will take off on December 19 and is hoping people will start donating to the cause now.

Click here to find out more about Riewoldt’s ‘Ride for Ryan’