Campaign to get Royal Navy veteran with severe Crohn's disease to wheelchair rugby tournament in Australia

Royal Navy veteran Ben Dunwell captains Wakefield Trinity’s wheelchair rugby team and was diagnosed with the condition 14 years ago.

As a result of his illness part of his bowel had to be removed and he is due to have more life-changing surgery later this year.

But Ben, who lives in Dewsbury Moor, has been given the opportunity to travel to Australia to take part in a wheelchair rugby tournament against other military veterans.

His mum, Elaine, set up a GoFundMe account to try to help with costs for the trip.

She said: “We are not sure what the future holds so we wanted to give Ben some good memories and a chance to do something he will probably never get to do again.

“This game gives him so much enjoyment as he’s not physically fit to play normal rugby but he absolutely loves it.”

Crohn's is a long-term condition in which the gut becomes inflamed. The condition cannot currently be cured but there are treatments that can help prevent or manage the symptoms.

"Crohn’s has totally ruined Ben’s life in many ways from losing jobs, personal things and struggles with mental health issues because of how much it has taken over and ruined his life.

“So we’ve got our begging bowls out, which hasn’t been an easy thing through pride more than anything, to try give Ben this chance to have and be part of this trip of a lifetime and give him something to finally have a smile on his face for.”

Ben, 35, previously played wheelchair rugby in Batley.

The fundraiser for the Australia trip has raised £2,245 so far.

Elaine said: "The response we've had has been outstanding, we can't believe it.

“Literally I wasn't going to do it and I'm not someone who would normally set up a GoFundMe page but I thought I'd give it a go.

"We discussed it and thought we'd get a couple of hundred quid. We're blown away by the support.”

Search “Bens wheelchair rugby Oz trip of a lifetime” on GoFundMe to contribute.