The thoughts of everyone at Brunton Park have been with former-youth player Danny Hodgson and his family this week following a news update which revealed that he is currently in a coma over in Australia, in the Royal Perth Hospital, following an unprovoked attack which left him in a critical condition.
A fundraiser was immediately initiated to help Danny’s parents Peter and Nicola to get over from Cumbria to see their 25-year-old son, and that sparked an unbelievable response, with the $100,000 target reached within a matter of days.
Writing on Facebook this week, mum Nicola said: “It’s incredible that in 24 hours we have been able to achieve the impossible.
“I cannot thank everyone enough who has been involved. Our prayers have been answered and we have confirmed flights to Australia.
“Danny still has a long journey ahead of him but the fact that me and Peter will be by his side through it gives us enormous comfort.
“It’s the most emotional experience I’ve ever had. One act of violence has spurred thousands of acts of kindness and for that we will be eternally grateful.”
Speaking about the former-Blue at this week’s press conference, manager Chris Beech said: “I didn’t know Danny’s position, but anybody in an ill disposition, as I know being on a donor list waiting for my son to get a liver, or in situations where you’re in hospital for 10-12 hour operations, I can only give them my support and best wishes.
“If they do need support we won’t turn down any avenues of helping out or doing things for people in that kind of unfortunate position. From my personal experiences I feel for the family, and I hope it all goes well.”
“It doesn’t half put a lot of things into perspective,” he added. “Why do we wake every day, why do we do what we do - for me family is the most important thing, so they get our complete support.
“I feel for them and this football club will definitely support them. To what means I’m not sure but we will definitely be open to anything we might have to try and support.
“I do wish them well and we do reach out to them. Ultimately they’ll have to try and deal with it and it’s very difficult.”
Danny’s GoFundMe page is HERE.
Keep fighting Danny!