(OCT 18) The prayers and thoughts
of all not only in the British Isles but indeed throughout the
boxing community, are today with former Welsh boxing champion
Rachael Buckland who is (at the time of writing) in a coma at
the University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff, following a freak
accident at her home last week.
Twenty five years old Rachael
fractured her skull in that tragic accident. She had retired
temporarily from the sport to have kids as undefeated Welsh
bantam champion.
Husband Mitchell - himself a Welsh champion was due to defend
his Celtic Boxing title this week in Scotland but last night
gave up that title to enable him to look after Rachael and their
two kids Lorenzo (age 2) and Ella-Rose (1).
Mitchell, 23, said on social media : “Please everyone say
a prayer for my wife. She is fighting for her life.
“It’s just a waiting game now so still praying but she is
stable.”
Chef Rachael suffered the injury, with significant bleeding on
the brain, at the family home in the Cardiff suburb of St.
Mellons, as she was getting ready for bed on Wednesday when she
tripped and fell down the stairs. She had met her husband
Mitchell ,while training together at St Joseph’s boxing gym in
Newport, South Wales.
Tony Borg, boxing coach at St Joseph's, told the ‘South Wales
Evening Post’ and other British media : "The doctors were hoping
the swelling would go down on its own but overnight on Thursday
Rachael had an emergency operation. She's stable but it's a
waiting game at the moment.
"It's affected everybody at the gym we're trying to keep focus
for Mitch; he rings a few times a day with any updates - we want
to keep positive for him.
"We're trying to do what we can. They are a young couple with
two young children. What they are going through now is unreal."
“It’s so hard for Mitch. I call him once or twice a day but he’s
in bits – he can’t speak.
“Rachael is an outstanding talent, she’s an undefeated champion.
She’s a lovely girl, so bright and bubbly. She originally came
to an open day at the gym for people who had never boxed before
to have a look around and then decided to box.
“And then the rest is history.”
“St Joseph's gym have organised an auction of sports memorabilia
to be sold to raise funds, including a gold pair of gloves
signed by British champion Andrew Selby.
"It's great to see the boxing community come together for her”
Coach Tony Borg is one of the best known coaches in UK having
being Welsh ’amateur’ national coach at three Commonwealth Games
as well as coaching London 2012 Olympic welterweight silver
medallist Fred Evans, also at the St Joseph’s Club. He was a
very successful amateur boxer himself and later turned Pro
though his career in the Pro ranks was not helped by serious
injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
Family friend Emma O’Donoghue has just set up a ‘Just Giving’
Donation page on Social Media adding : “There will be various
fundraising events taking place over the next week and Rachael's
former employers, Tom Toya Lewis, Wetherspoons Newport, will be
holding an event next on Wednesday this week.
“We send love, strength and prayers to the Buckland family at
this time and are hoping for a speedy and fully recovery for
Rachael xxx”
All donations however small would be grateful received
especially since Mitchell will be unable to work whilst he looks
after Rachael and the kids.
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/emma-odonoghue?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Yimbyprojectpage&utm_content=emma-odonoghue&utm_campaign=projectpage-share-owner&utm_term=aqMMDggkq
