Leicester Tigers stars Manu Tuilagi, Logovi’i Mulipola, Dom Ryan and Tom Brady took time out of training this week to meet staff and patients at Leicester General Hospital’s haemodialysis unit.
The players took part in filming about dangers of kidney disease with the club’s official charity partner, Leicester Hospitals Charity Kidney Care Appeal.
After spending time at the charity’s HQ, the players visited the haemodialysis unit where they learned more about kidney disease as they met patients undergoing treatment.
The players also met hospital staff to hear about the great work they are able to carry out thanks to the funds raised by the Kidney Care Appeal.
There are nearly 60,000 people in the UK receiving treatment for kidney disease and it’s thanks to the research and support of The John Walls Renal Unit at Leicester’s Hospitals that people across Leicestershire & Rutland as well as from Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire can be treated.
Bipin Patel, from Hamilton in Leicester, is undergoing treatment and said: “Without the work of the Kidney Care Appeal to support research and treatment for health problems, they wouldn’t be able to help so many people.
“It’s fantastic to meet some of the Tigers and I really appreciate having their support.
“When there’s a match, thousands of people watch and millions more on TV so if just one person decides to donate or learns more about kidney disease then they will have helped. I’ll definitely be cheering the boys on this season.”
The Tigers association with the Kidney Care Appeal began through Eric Barker who was a patient at the unit and works on the community events team at the club.
“I was taken ill in 2013 and taken to the renal unit at Leicester General where I continued to be treated for vasculitis,” he said. “Thanks to their fantastic support, I am now in remission so I wanted to do something to say thanks.
“With my links at Tigers, I asked if the club could support the charity as an official partner and here we are.
“The charity helps to raise funds for equipment, research and treatment. By working with Tigers, we’re planning a number of events to help raise awareness and funds across the season.”
Tigers and Kidney Care Appeal will be sharing a video from the day soon to help educate and increase people’s understanding of kidney disease.
To find out more about the Kidney Care Appeal or to make a donation please phone 0116 258 8709 or visit: www.LHCharity.org.uk
To find out more about Leicester Tigers and the club’s work with charities within the community, or visit: www.leicestertigers.com/club/club-charities