A gold coin donation will be collected at this Wednesday night’s Beard Trophy Challenge between Aotea College and Mana College to help support Aotea student and rugby player Ashen and his family.
The Aotea College 1st XV will play Mana College 1st XV at Jerry Collins Stadium on Wednesday 1 July, with kick-off at 5pm.
Funds raised at the game will go towards helping Ashen and his family during what has been described in the supplied post as an incredibly difficult time.
Ashen, an Aotea College student and keen rugby player, has been playing for Mana College’s 2nd XV this season after Aotea College was unable to field a 2nd XV. He joined the Mana side through College Sport Wellington’s “Play For Another School” policy.
Ashen travelled to Bali with his family to celebrate his mum’s 40th birthday, but became critically ill after contracting bacterial meningitis caused by Streptococcus suis, along with pneumonia and complications from a stomach ulcer.
He has now moved out of ICU and onto a ward, but is still tiring easily, has tinnitus and some residual brain swelling. He remains on IV antibiotics through a central line.
According to the supplied update, Ashen has been working with physiotherapists to rebuild his muscle strength so he can stand on his own. The family is now paying for some physio costs after travel insurance approved only a limited number of sessions.
It is not yet known how long Ashen will need to remain in Bali, as he is unable to fly while there is still brain swelling.
Funds raised through the family’s Givealittle page are helping with extra costs while the family remains in Bali, including accommodation, food, travel and medical-related expenses.
The Beard Trophy is an annual 1st XV rugby challenge contested by secondary schools in the Porirua Basin and Western Bays area, including Aotea College, Tawa College, Bishop Viard College, Porirua College and Mana College.