To help a teen with terminal cancer "make some memories," more than £72,000 has been raised.
Earlier this month, Charlie from Weedon, close to Northampton, received a diagnosis of a rare and aggressive sarcoma.
The 13-year-old, an enthusiastic rugby union and football player, first started feeling ill in May, according to his family.
Charlie's coach at Bugbrooke RFC, former England and Northampton Saints player Tom Wood, promised that the neighborhood would "do whatever we can" to assist.
Charlie's family and friends were "shell-shocked" by his diagnosis, said Mr. Wood, 36, who earned 50 caps for England.
It all happened very quickly, he observed. So it was unexpected. Six or seven weeks ago, he was on the field with us, taking part in a customary rugby tour and joking around with the boys. ".
After receiving a message from 2003 World Cup champion Jonny Wilkinson following his diagnosis, Charlie was "blown away," according to Mr. Wood.
Since June 18, a fundraising website has received £72,500 in donations.
The money will be increased through events like a charity football game between Charlie's former football team, Weedon Yellows, and Bugbrooke RFC's under-14s.
"We just felt like we had to do something for him," said Bugbrooke RFC's Gareth Meech. ".
Mr. Meech stated that the match on July 16 will be "half touch-rugby, half football."
