JED-FOREST RFC factotum Eddie Renwick will be able to travel in comfort for the first time in years after receiving a state-of-the-art van from the SRU Centenary Fund, writes Fiona Scott.
Since breaking his neck in a rugby accident 18 years ago, Eddie has certainly made the most of his life in a wheelchair. Last week, however, the 36-year-old received his new Mercedes Vanio, complete with ramp, from fund secretary Bill Hogg and former
and current SRU Borders district representatives Ally Forsyth and Norman Douglas.
Eddie Renwick (left) with Norman Douglas, Alistair Forsyth and fund secretary Bill Hogg. Photograph: ROB GRAY
Speaking to TheSouthern last weekend, a delighted Eddie explained: "I was approached by Norman, who was then a trustee for the SRU Centenary Fund, asking if I needed anything and I cheekily asked about a new converted car to carry me in my wheelchair.
"I've known about this fund ever since my accident as they helped my parents out with travelling expenses when I was in hospital. I'd also been given a computer from them and they also helped to pay for a family holiday. But I suppose being a typical proud independent Borderer, I didn't want to bother too much.
"It has all paid off, though, as this new car will not only benefit me, but my whole family and carers."
Just 10 weeks after his 18th birthday, Eddie's life changed forever when a collapsed scrum left him paralysed from the chest down. On November 5, 1988, while playing for Jed Thistle against Melrose Colts, the first scrum of the match came down trapping the front row player's head on his chest, resulting in a broken neck and severed spinal cord.
Eddie was taken to Borders General Hospital for X-rays before being transferred to The Western General by police escort. After spending five weeks there and undergoing an operation to stabilise the break, he then spent six months in the Eden Hall spinal Unit in Musselburgh.
Eddie recalled: "Being let out of hospital was one of the worst parts of it and I probably didn't realise the full implications of my injuries until then. I was lucky and accepted my predicament more or less straight away and just got on with it.
"My pals stuck by me and we went out most weekends and went on the usual lads' holidays to Crete, Corfu, Benidorm and Tenerife. I even joined the Thistle committee for a short time, during which I was involved in the new clubhouse process."
Eddie left the rugby scene when he and his father Jimmy, who doubles as a driver, started a bookmakers business in the town and, like most young men, as time moved on, so did Eddie's friends – getting married, having kids, starting their own businesses etc. It was then that he was persuaded to join the Jed-Forest committee, originally to run the website. That job has expanded, however, and today Eddie is sponsorship manager, programme producer, entertainments manager and kitchen duty manager.
He continued: "I was struggling to get around at that time and I got an electric wheelchair which gave me a massive new independence. I bought a little old van to go with the chair and it has done a great job but it was never ideal. I can't thank everyone enough for their work in getting me the new van."
A planned law change to outlaw scrum collisions is expected to be ratified at a full International Rugby Board meeting in Dublin next month.
The move has been prompted by a spate of injuries at all levels of the game.
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