Rugby club holds fun run to raise funds for injured player

Springs Rugby Club hosted a fun run for the benefit of Dirkie Burger on Saturday at Olympia Park.

Very few of the players and supporters will forget August 4.

During the Valke Peregrine league semi-final game between Boksburg and Springs at Springs’ Olympia Park, Dirkie Burger (30), Boksburg’s number 14 wing, suffered a stroke.

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“Fortunately, Boksburg’s medic, who is a qualified paramedic, managed to stabilise Dirkie and had him transported to Parklands Medi-Clinic in Springs without any delay.

“He has been recovering very well since the incident, but because of the outpatient rehabilitation programmes, his medical bills are piling up,” explains chairman of the Springs Rugby Club, Rudolph Cronje.

Dirkie’s speech was badly affected and his right arm and leg are paralysed as a result of the stroke.

“No doubt that Dirkie’s full recovery will take some time but he is currently in the able care of his fianceé, Simone Haasbroek, his family and friends.

“All of them, including Dirkie’s employer, stood by Dirkie during this trying ordeal and continue to do so during his recovery period.”

Cronje says Dirkie needs about R9 200 every month to keep him on the programme.

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“It is a gesture of goodwill and friendship that Springs Rugby Club decided to hold a 5 km fun run.

“We have only managed to reconcile the donations made at the venue on the day and that came up to R45 000.

“This excludes the monies that were put into the account and card swipes.”

The chairman says he is very proud of how the community came out to support the event.

“All the rugby clubs that came out just showed unity among us and compassion for the young player.”