- He played for Collingwood and was a local star at Geelong.
- He suffered a medical episode and faces extensive rehabilitation.
- If you would like to help with Kent Butcher’s recovery, you can donate here
Former Collingwood and Geelong local football star Kent Butcher is fighting back after a serious spinal injury nearly killed him and left him paralysed.
The 50-year-old man suffered an unspecified medical episode on July 29, fracturing his C3, C4, C5, C6 and C7 vertebrae and causing significant damage to his central spinal cord.
The injury left him with limited movement in his body after he underwent emergency cervical spine surgery to save his life.
He is currently in a specialist hospital in Melbourne, where he is undergoing extensive rehabilitation.
His recovery process includes learning to walk and use his hands again, a journey that will keep him hospitalized for several months.
A family friend has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover Butcher’s medical expenses and support his family.
Kellie Loving, a spokesperson for the fundraiser, posted: “He is slowly regaining some movement and strength after surgery but has a long road to recovery. He is currently in Melbourne in a specialist hospital.”
“With his determination, having grown up living and breathing the sports industry, we believe he can do it.”
Kent Butcher played for Collingwood in the AFL and now faces extensive rehabilitation after a medical episode left him paralysed.
Butcher is a local icon in Geelong and played at the junior and senior levels for a local club.
Butcher began his football career with Geelong’s under-19s and reserves before making his AFL debut with Collingwood in 1993.
He played 22 games throughout his career, mainly as a rebounding defender. He was nominated for Rising Star status in 1994 after an impressive performance against St Kilda.
However, injuries plagued his career and led to his delisting in 1995.
He briefly joined Sydney but never played a game for the Swans. After his time in the AFL, Butcher returned to Geelong where he had a successful local football career as a player and coach.
Donations to help with her medical expenses and daily living costs can be made through the GoFundMe page set up in her name.
“Your support will help cover Kent’s medical expenses, including medication and recovery. It will also contribute to the daily expenses of being out of work for an indeterminate amount of time and help ease the financial strain on the family,” Loving posted.
Butcher and his wife are also looking forward to the arrival of their first grandchild.
