London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

National rugby player in need of heart surgery

National rugby player in need of heart surgery

The British Virgin Islands Rugby Football Union (RFU) has collaborated with Castaway CrossFit to host a fundraiser event aimed at raising $15,000 for a local national rugby player who is in urgent need of heart surgery.

Kenrick ‘Jimmy’ Thomas who is a former student of the Elmore Stoutt High School recently received a medical diagnosis that he has a hole in the septum between his heart’s lower or upper chambers. This is called a Ventricular or Atrial Septal Defect.

Speaking to BVI News in a recent interview, Head Coach of the Rugby Football Union James Vaughan Turner said approximately $10,000 has already been raised, but he is calling on residents to continue supporting the cause to ensure Thomas receives his surgery which must be conducted off-island.

“Jimmy has a great number of friends and we are all trying our best to assist him. The BVI’s NHI will cover part of his medical costs but not all. He needs to raise between $15,000 to $20,000 in order to cover the costs of the operation. He is planning on having the operation in Puerto Rico,” Coach Turner said.

He added: “Jimmy is in good spirits, he has been raising money for his operation. Being unable to continue any training or sport has had a doubly negative impact for Jimmy. Coupled with having to learn of, and deal with his condition during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been very difficult for him but his motivation to succeed has helped him to push forward and strive forward.”

Teammates remain positive


Coach Turner said the news of Thomas’ diagnosis had his teammates initially concerned, but said their brotherhood mentality has helped to keep the entire team positive during this period.

“Jimmy is an important member of the team and when his team mates heard the news of his condition, they were shocked and concerned for his health. In rugby we have values and a culture and when one of our players is in need, we all come together to help each other out. Rugby is very special, it brings people together from all different cultures and backgrounds as one big family,” he explained.

Thomas is a gifted talent


The head coach further pointed to the many achievements of the 23-year-old Thomas, who has been successful during his tenure representing the national team.

“He has represented the BVI national rugby teams on numerous occasions in 7s and 15s rugby and has literally bled for the BVI in certain games, including losing a piece of his ear whilst playing for the BVI National Men’s 15’s rugby team against Barbados,” the coach stated.

“He has won several awards in rugby, such as the most valuable player for the under 19 tournaments in 2014 in Trinidad and the most improved player twice in 2017 and 2019. He captained his secondary school in a two-year undefeated streak. Jimmy has also been a very keen practitioner of Castaway CrossFit in the BVI,” he added.

Beach Rugby Fundraiser event


The fundraiser which is slated for the Brandywine Bay beach will consist of three categories of events of beach rugby which will all have teams of six players each.

These will include Senior Men’s Tackle with an entry fee of $200 per squad, Under-18 Men’s Tackle with an entry fee of $100, and Mixed Touch Rugby with an entry fee of $200.

The event will run from 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday November 22.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×