SANDOWN and Shanklin RFC will be holding a special charity day tomorrow (Saturday) in aid of former player Luke Orton, who was left wheelchair bound after suffering a horrific rugby injury last year.

The event, at the Fairway in Lake, and attended by Luke and his family, from Ventnor, will feature a rugby match comprising teams made up of the Island's three principal rugby clubs.

Also, Sandown and Shanklin RFC will be a raffle and auction, with all money raised donated to Luke, who will be 27 tomorrow.

Luke, a former Hurricanes player, suffered a catastrophic neck injury while playing in a beach rugby tournament in Ryde last year. 

He remains in the Salisbury Spinal unit undergoing intensive physiotherapy, but will sadly spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.

The family are in the midst of a significant project to convert the family home, to give Luke a living space there.

Although Luke's parents surpassed their £20,000 cash target on a JustGiving page — the total standing at £24,450 — it is still far from enough for the adaptation works, said his dad, Tony.  

As part of the raffle prizes, Concierge UK donated a 6 Nations rugby package for the recent Italy v England match in Rome, which has raised more than £1,100 for Luke's fund.

"This will be Luke's first return to the Island since his accident on July 22 last year, so a huge day for us all," Tony adds.

The event starts at 12 noon.