A COLLECTION OF LETTERS FROM THOSE WE HELP AND THOSE WHO HELP US.

Just a note of "THANKS" to Num8er & Rugby Foundation for access to tickets
to the Hurricanes v Blues on Friday night. Our 7yr old son Jonathan had a
great time with his mate Lachlan, all they could talk about at Rippa Rugby
on Saturday morning with their team was about going to the game and high 5's
with Captain Hurricane.

Craig Bailey

A huge thank you for all your work on arranging the 7s trip for all the injured players and family/carers.

Kendall and I had an awesome time! The whole event was really well organised and it was great to have the Otago room at the stadium and to have dinner – much needed by that time!

The highlight (apart from all the awesome costumes) was the lunch at the Rugby Union headquarters. It was a great opportunity for all the guys to get together and it was really good to have Eric Rush and Andy Leslie there etc. I would really like to say thank you that the partners/family/carers were included. As a partner it was really good to meet other partners/carers most of us don’t often get to meet up with people in the same situations.

The packs with the shirts/caps and great snacks were awesome, we’ll definitely be wearing those shirts to any all blacks games.

We both appreciate how much time and hard work went into organising this event, it’s often the small details that take the effort and nothing went un-noticed.

Thanks again and here’s to next time J

Cheers

Kendall and Lu

I would like to take this opportunity to thank The Rugby Foundation for its help in funding my operation on my lower back.

After injuring my back in a scrum, while playing rugby in May 2008, I proceeded through the medical system to get treatment. Upon a MRI report ACC refused to fund my back operation which I needed to repair damage or cover my injury anymore determining a, ‘pre-existing congenital condition’ which both my surgeon and myself found very baffling.

Whilst trying to fight ACC on their decision I sent a letter to the Canterbury Rugby Union asking for help and they forwarded the letter through to The Rugby Foundation which was the best thing that happened.

I soon received a phone call from Andrew Flaxman to discuss my case and he was so positive and helpful which was totally different from what I was receiving from ACC at the time. After a few phone calls Andrew gave me the fantastic news that The Rugby Foundation would be able to fund my operation and I could book it as soon as possible.

During my operation my surgeon found my back to be a lot worse than MRI results had shown and proceeded to fixed all that needed to be done.

After getting my surgery report to ACC they done an absolute turn of face and decided they would now cover my injury, pay for my surgery and back pay me for my lost earnings.

If it wasn’t for The Rugby Foundation coming to my rescue I would still be fighting ACC while off work and receiving a sickness benefit for an injury that should have been covered from the start.

The operation has been a fantastic success and after 6 weeks of rehab I am now returning to work, my rugby playing days are done unfortunately (especially that I am one game short of playing 100 Div 1 games for my club!!) but I will still have a very close connection to the game which I love through coaching and administrating.

Once again I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who is involved with The Rugby Foundation you were a pleasure to deal with and I will always be thankful for the way you helped me out in my time of need, Thank you.

Regards

Shane Taylor

Southbridge Rugby Football Club

Division 1 Player

Andrew,

Thank you for putting on the weekend's events. My hat is off the you and Paul Stafford for making it happen.

Janet and I enjoyed ourselves immensely. With no reservations - I can say that such get togethers should be repeated again in the future.

It was a pleasure to meet you and Sarah-Jane (forgive my spelling).

Kind regards

::Bob Symon
:: Manager Consumer Finance Platforms
:: IT Infrastructure Development |ANZ National
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::Direct 04 496 7175 |Mobile 027 531 5298 |IN 47175
:: Level 6, 175 The Terrace, PO Box 1492, Wellington
::EmailBob.Symon@anz.com

Hi Andrew

Would you please pass on my thanks to the Trustees and all involved in the 7’s weekend. Thank you and Paul for your organization and involvement to make it a fun weekend at the 7’s, the pre luncheon at NZRFU and all the other activities. It was an event we really felt hosted at and included in the National games Rugby community. It was fantastic to be in the Room in NZRFU amongst all the names and gear but particularly having the people of NZ & 7’s rugby take time out to meet us.

Thanks again for the motel, bus and goodies. Really appreciate it all.

Ross Ormsby

Hi Andrew,

sorry it took me a little while to get back to you, Julia had the camera.

Once again thank you for an absolutely awesome rugby tour.

Everyone was supra-impressed.

It is awesome to interact with the other guys.

Obviously I would love to go again if there is a possibility.

Also I will cut and paste the text from my last e-mail to you about rugby tickets for us. As to what is happening.

Thank you for all your hard work it doesn't go unnoticed.

Cheers Phillip

Happy New Year Andrew.

Hope you manage to get a holiday in over the festive season and soaked up some of that hot sun.

Just want to say what an awesome job you are doing for the Rugby Foundation and its much appreciated by all of us.

Also Ross, Neil and I are wanting to get in early for the Springbok test in Hamilton on the 12th of September. We also require two extra tickets hopefully in the same area if this is possible, for two more friends which are happy to pay.

Not sure which would be the best way of getting tickets close by, I can put them on my Visa or if you were to be sending out the tickets soon I could wait until I have the seat numbers and then just try and organise tickets myself.

I'm getting very excited about the sevens I can't wait it will be an awesome weekend.

Thanks heaps

Phil Booth