A FUNDRAISER has been set up to help support the Whitehaven RL captain James Newton. 

During the last game of the season against Halifax Panthers at the Ortus Rec, Newton sustained a severe injury and had to be taken off the field before the game ended. 

He was then taken to hospital where it was discovered that he had fractured a vertebra. 

Lee Butterworth, the owner of Xtreme Fitness gym at Lillyhall, has set up a fundraiser. 

The aim is to support Newton with his finances whilst he recovers. 

Mr Butterworth said: "In the final ten minutes of the game against Halifax, James Newton got tackled. 

"It wasn't an aggressive tackle, but it looks like he's fallen badly and injured his neck. 

"The game was stopped for about 15 minutes while a doctor examined James, he was later taken away in an ambulance. 

"It was soon discovered when he arrived at the hospital that he had injured his neck. 

"He was rushed in for an emergency operation and a halo has been placed on his neck to keep his head and neck still. 

"He'll be in the halo for eight weeks and then even when he gets out it's going to take a lot of time to come back from it."

Lee decided to set up a fundraiser to support James with an online target of £2,000. 

Donations have already far surpassed the target, with the total now being £2,800. 

Mr Butterworth continued: "The fundraiser is to take the pressure off him while he is out of work, help him to pay the bills, and make sure he can fully recover before he goes back to work.

"There's been a lot of interest from fans and the public so far. He's very popular and has been with Whitehaven RL for ten years, he's great with the fans and great with the kids. 

"The club's been in touch with me and thanked me for setting it up, I'm going to work with them and put some events on to raise more money. 

"I love rugby league and support Whitehaven as it's my hometown. I try to support the team, particularly the young international players."