Donate to help Matt Reynolds and family

Back in November 2023, Matt sustained a serious rugby injury causing his c5-c6 disc to dislodge and compress his spinal nerves.

Matt was operated on within 24 hours of the accident, undergoing an ACDF operation which took 5 hours to complete. The operation was a success and the first couple days went well in hospital.

Unfortunately, on the third day in hospital, things started to change as Matt began experiencing memory loss, dizziness, migraines and minor mobility issues.

After just 5 days, Matt was discharged from the hospital, with the nurses assuring him that being home would be much better for recovery.

Unfortunately, Matt’s family home was not suitable for his condition and home mobility was a real struggle for Matt and his wife, Sam.

Matt lost some feeling in his leg and continued to feel pain in his arms and hands from the impact of the tackle. He was unable to get around the house properly or complete the most mundane tasks.

In February 2024, Matt was admitted to Lister Hospital after losing all feeling and movement from the waist down. After multiple scans, Matt was diagnosed with FND (functional neurological disorder) and was admitted to Danesbury Neurological Cenre for 6 weeks. Matt returned home but his struggles with mobility continued.

7 months down the line, Matt suffered a massive relapse where he now can’t feel or move any limbs from the neck down. At the time of writing, Matt has been in Lister hospital for 6 weeks waiting to go to a specialist FND clinic.

Matt has not been able to work for the last year due to this injury. His wife Samantha is caring for him whilst looking after their 3 young children - all whilst also holding down a job and coaching at the club.

Sam regularly has to take time off work to care for Matt and to fight for his case. To give this context - they have been given an assessment date with one specialist FND clinic in March 2025.

The family are waiting for the council to find suitable accommodation which can help manage Matt’s serious condition. If the council cannot find suitable housing, he may need to move to a care home. Money is naturally tight as Matt has not been able to work and Sam is struggling on her own.

Shortly after Matt's accident, Sam taught herself to drive so she could get the children to school and help take Matt to his appointments. Finding the money for this (and a suitable car) was not easy and Sam continues to face a number of challenges alongside Matt.

Any money raised will help Sam to pay the bills that need paying and any extra money will be used to help the family move when accommodation becomes available, as well as adjustment and adaption costs to make Matt’s life easier.

Matt and Sam have done so much to support Welwyn Rugby Club and the kids that go there - if there is any way you are able to help make life slightly easier for them at this awful time, they would be so very grateful.

Thank you so much