11-year-old Ben Collins suffered an ACL injury and micro-fracture to his tibia following an innocuous challenge while playing for Binfield FC Pumas.
The sport-loving youngster faces a lengthy wait for surgery on the NHS due to waiting list times and subsequent rehabilitation so his mum and dad, Lisa and Paul, have set up a JustGiving page to raise some money for a private operation.
Lisa, writing on the Binfield website, said: “We’re asking for a little help from anyone who’s willing and able to give it, to literally help Ben get back on his feet and back into doing the sports he loves, especially football. Any donations will be gratefully received and will help pay for the operation and for the physiotherapy that Ben will need afterwards.”
A target of £5,000 has been set with £2,000 already raised.
Lisa said: “The NHS is a fabulous organisation but following Covid 19 waiting times are very long. We have decided to self-fund the operation at the Royal Berks Hospital in Reading. Doing so will mean that Ben can get the operation much sooner and can then start the really hard work to rebuild his strength.”
If you are able to make a donation, however big or small, you can do so on the JustGiving page here.