Since then his condition has stabilised with the care from Alder Hay Hospital in Liverpool. His club and local Premiership side, Sales Sharks, have rallied round the family and to show their support they have raised a staggering £2000 for the Liverpool Ronald Macdonald house that has provided so much support for the Wilson family and many others like them.

This is a story about how the whole rugby family came together. From a local town U16s team all the way through to Premiership clubs and elite international players; not only helping a family through an incredibly challenging time but also donating to an amazing charity in the process.

The story started October last year when one of our players at Crewe & Nantwich RUFC U16s, Jacob Wilson, started feeling unwell at home. His condition deteriorated rapidly and after a rush to hospital he was diagnosed with kidney failure. Jacob’s condition was critical and life threatening; he was transferred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital who thankfully managed to stabilise him.

The next few weeks remained a frightening period for Jacob and his family and imperative for them to stay close to Jacob and so they were given a room at the charitable Liverpool Ronald McDonald House next door.

Jacob’s doctors had also said it was important that his spirits were kept high in order to aid in his recovery. So being part of Jacob’s extended rugby family, we thought it a good idea to arrange a visit for some of the coaches, players and parents to Jacob’s ward at Alder Hey to show him our support. Whilst there, Jacob’s dad Pete, showed a few of us around all the facilities of both Alder Hey and the RMH. It is impossible not to be affected by these incredible places dedicated to making sick children better. I was moved by it all but particularly at the RMH which is run solely on charity. We resolved that our team, on behalf of Jacob and his family, must thank and support them in any way we can.

Jacob slowly recovered and after several weeks and operations was allowed home where he had a dialysis machine installed. He needed a transplant so now had to go through the long process of finding a match but infections still meant regular visits back to the hospital.

And then catastrophically, Jacob’s house was gutted by fire; fortunately nobody was hurt but they lost everything. It was during this time that the club approached Sale Sharks with Jacob’s story to see if they could give him some sort of treat (Jacob is a big Sale Sharks fan). Could they help? Absolutely. Helen Stuart from Sale Sharks kindly organised an amazing VIP visit for Jacob and his family where they not only got to watch a match but met all the players and had a tour behind the scenes!

Towards the end of the season the club held a charity dinner and auction. Again, Sale Sharks really came up with the goods donating several star items and special mention must go to Dave Bexon of Redrow Homes who not only donated many of the items but also provided the auctioneer. The Auction List ranged from rugby memorabilia such as Faf De Klerk’s boots, signed shirts and balls from Sale Sharks, London Irish and Northampton Saints to golf rounds, brewery tours, giant whisky bottles, signed books and many more.

Thanks to the astonishing generosity of our own U16s players, parents and supporters who made ALL the winning bids we raised £1755! Crewe & Nantwich RUFC then very kindly and generously agreed to top it up to £2000.

We presented the cheque to Denise Byrne of the Ronald McDonald House who in turn presented us with a plaque which will be permanently displayed on their Tree of Life.

In the last month, Jacob’s dad has been closely matched as a possible donor match and awaiting confirmation. Everyone at Crewe and Nantwich RUFC has their fingers crossed.

This inspirational U16s side will be part of the Junior Colts next season. Come and see them play at the Vagrants from September or better still, join them or one of the other age groups and become part of the family!! For more information on joining the Crewe and Nantwich RUFC Youth Section please contact Naomi Povey on jnrmembershipcandnrufc@gmail.com or visit the website www.cnrugby.uk