Donations have been raised for ex-Sheffield Wednesday player Marc Burrows who wakes up paralysed after ‘back pain’ and may never walk again.
Burrows, 47, signed a professional contract with the Owls around 20 years ago after leaving school, and was on the clubs’ books as a defender.
And since leaving the game, he swapped his football boots for tiles, and went into business as a self-employed tiler.
However he has recently been hit by a condition which has stopped him from working – which started out as a pain in the back but has become worse, to the point that he can’t move his legs.
He was left in hospital and unable to work after developing the debilitating condition.
Concerned pals have now set up a crowdfunding page to try to help the dad-of-four while he is unable to work.
A donation page was created, with the aim of raising £2,000 to help him. Log onto https://www.gofundme.com/f/marc-buza-burrows to donate.
One friend said: “I’ve known the man for over 30 years, played football against and most recently with and you couldn’t meet a nicer bloke.
“Unfortunately right now he’s in hospital with what started as a bad back and has progressed to not being able to move his legs .
“Fingers crossed he’ll be on the mend but I don’t think he’ll be working anytime soon. This is why I’ve set this page up because along with his medical problems I know he’ll be worried about providing for his family.”
Marc’s friend, Joe Pyecroft, 47, set up a fundraiser for him and wrote: “Buza is a self employed tiler who I’m sure you all will know . I’ve known the man for over 30 years, played football against and most recently with and you couldn’t meet a nicer bloke.
“Unfortunately right now he’s in hospital with what started as a bad back and has progressed to not been able to move his legs.
“Fingers crossed he’ll be on the mend but I don’t think he’ll be working anytime soon.
“This is why I’ve set this page up because along with his medical problems I know he’ll be worried about providing for his family.”
Marc’s wife, Nicola, 46, told YorkshireLive: “He went in exactly two weeks ago today (Wednesday, March 2) but he was having back pain well before that, but he carried on working.
“Weeks and weeks and weeks [he had the pain] and it was gradually getting worse and we ended up going to A&E but they just prescribed him strong painkillers and sent him on his way, but he got so much worse the next day that he lost the use of his left leg.”
Marc was sent to hospital and had an MRI scan, but it revealed that he had a narrowing of the spine which had also irritated part of his spinal cord.
On Wednesday, Marc had his surgery and it will take a bit of time before he is allowed to return home, so in the meantime, Nicola is looking after her three children, who Marc is stepdad to, and the couple’s young son.
“The youngest that I have with Marc, I’ve been quite surprised with him as he’s taken it all in his stride, he’s been up to visit him [in hospital] and has made him a card and did a prayer for him, bless him”, Nicola said.
One of Marc’s stepson’s has been struggling without him, so much so that he has not even felt able to visit him in the hospital.
Nicola is also missing her husband of four-years, as she is not used being away from him for so long.
She said: “This is the longest time we’ve been apart, so it’s just difficult for everyone. It feels like it’s happening to someone else, it’s so bizarre because we’re usually in constant contact all the time.”
Nicola has since praised the support that has come in from the family and from Marc’s friends, who have “rallied around” the couple and tried to do everything that they can to help.
The GoFundMe page read: “Buza is a self employed tiler who I’m sure you all will know. I’ve known the man for over 30 years, played football against and most recently with and you couldn’t meet a nicer bloke. Unfortunately right now he’s in hospital with what started as a bad back and has progressed to not been able to move his legs. Fingers crossed he’ll be on the mend but I don’t think he’ll be working anytime soon. This is why I’ve set this page up because along with his medical problems I know he’ll be worried about providing for his family. No work , no cash . So if you can spare a donation I’m sure he will be extremely grateful. Let’s smash that target.”
You must be logged in to post a comment Login