Stars back game for ailing Chippenham rookie (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Stars back game for ailing Chippenham rookie

12:00pm Saturday 11th February 2012 in News By Alex Winter

A fundraising event for injured rugby star Lee Audis, who grew up in Chippenham, is set to raise hundreds for his family.

The former Bath Rugby academy player, who played in the first team at Chippenham around five years ago, is a rising star for the Doncaster Knights, but suffered life-threatening injuries in a car crash in November.

Friends Jack and Freddie Burns and Mark Lilley and brother Kevin Audis are planning a touch rugby tournament at Bath Rugby’s Recreation Ground.

Jack, who lives in Bath, said the friends want to do anything they can to support the Audis family.

“Everyone is still struggling with the news,” he said.

“Lee is still very unwell. He’s in a coma, but he is slowly making improvements. He is swallowing for himself now, so it is looking positive, but we all just have to be patient. We want to do anything we can to help his family. The money will go to them, as it has been such a difficult time for everyone.”

Mr Audis, 23, was recently moved from the Leeds General Infirmary neuro-intensive care unit to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol.

Mr Burns said he first met the rugby ace through his brother Freddie, who is a Gloucester fly-half.

“Lee’s a great friend,” he said. We’ve been trying to support his family as best we can. We visited him when he was in Leeds, and since he’s been back in Bristol, we’re up there once a week. It is a slow process though.”

The organisers are also putting together an auction of rugby kit to aid the fundraising effort.

“Freddie has got some really quality kit,” said Mr Burns.

“It got us thinking, and a lot of the Bath Rugby players have agreed to donate kit, so we’ll be selling that off too. We’re asking all the rugby players to empty out their wardrobes to raise cash.”

The matches will be between the Bath Rugby All-Star team and the Lee Audis All-Stars, made up of friends of the player.

It is hoped some of the Doncaster players will be there on the day.

It will be held on February 26 from 12.30pm until 5.30pm.