Mauricio Alberto Patino Restrepo is a Columbian international Rugby League player based in Northern Chile.
He was picked to represent his country in Sau Polo, against Brazil and Argentina, and had to organise his own transport all the way to there from home.
Mauricio travelled for four days on a bus with his friend, covering 3160km from the Pacific coast of Chile, through Bolivia to Brazil’s Atlantic coast.
But tragedy struck. Mauricio broke his leg in Columbia’s second game against Argentina and needed surgery in Sau Paulo.
So he now unable now to use his return ticket to Antofagasta by bus.
Latin Heat, an organisation that encourages Rugby League participation in Latin America, are reaching out to raise money for an air flight home (giving him room to stretch out his leg) and to cover a small percentage of the out-of-pocket expenses he’ll face.
$1000 is the target and you can donate by clicking here
