Injured NZ-born rugby league player Mose Masoe has received a major financial boost.
Earlier this year, the England-based forward suffered a career-ending spinal injury that left the 30-year-old's life in danger.
Masoe has made incredible progress in his recovery at Yorkshire's Pinderfields Hospital, but last week was hit with the prospect of being sent home, as England is overrun with COVID-19 cases.
However, an English rugby league benevolent fund has made a "lifelong commitment" to support him while he remains in England.
The English Rugby Football League (RFL) fund's backing will allow Masoe to remain in hospital to get specialist rehabilitation care.
Masoe is now walking on crutches, just three months after suffering the injury in a regulation tackle during a Super League pre-season game for Hull Kingston Rovers.
"We were part of a group who insisted it was wrong to send him home," RFL benevolent fund general manager Steve Ball told the Guardian.
"It's so important that people like him continue to get physiotherapy, so his rehab stays well and truly on track."
Ball said Masoe would be supported by the fund, as long as he remains in England.
"We pay for everything we can and we have made him a lifelong commitment that, while he is here, he will get our backing and our help," he said.
"We have guys who were injured in the 1970s and we support them the same. We're not a wealthy sport, but we're rich in our values."
Hull KR would also honour Masoe's contract, Ball said. The Wellington-born front-rower signed a new multi-year deal with the club in 2018 that has 12 months to run.
On Monday (NZ time), Masoe's wife, Carissa, paid tribute to him on social media, posting a photograph of her husband standing by his walking frame, giving a thumbs-up to the camera.
"Your positivity, strength and determination is always influencing, not just your little family, but everyone around you," she said.
