The UK hockey world is coming together to help stricken MK Thunder forward Ross Bowers after suffering a horrific eye injury that could end his career.
Bowers has spent his entire career in Milton Keynes, having played for the Lightning between 2002 and 2015, with brief spells at Basingstoke Bison and Slough Jets in between, before moving to Thunder four years ago.
The 33-year-old was struck with a high stick in the NIHL sideâs game with Romford Raiders on Sunday and came straight off and went to hospital in Milton Keynes for initial checks.
However, despite surgery, Bowers has lost the majority of his sight in the affected eye and faces further surgery in the hope it can be fixed.
The news has brought together fans and teams up and down the country as Bowers faces an uncertain future, both in his career on and off the ice and financially with a wife and daughter to support.
A Go Fund Me page has been set up to help raise money for Ross and his family through a difficult time as messages of love and support poured in from all corners of the country.
If you wish to donate, check out the link here: https://www.gofundme.com/ross-bowers
Our thoughts are with Ross Bowers, his girlfriend, daughter and family, after suffering a servere eye injury on Sunday playing for @WeAreMKThunder
Full statement on the MK Thunder website! -> https://t.co/Uuzc8B59Xp@gofundme link! -> https://t.co/GRAWE50sam pic.twitter.com/oZRPn5PUjY
â Slough Jets IHC (@jethockey) March 5, 2019
Everyone at the Devils is wishing @RoscoBow61 all the best for his recovery!
If you can help out in any way, please do below ? #HockeyFamily https://t.co/zesL9zc5HX
â Cardiff Devils (@cardiffdevils) March 5, 2019
All at the Steelers wish @RoscoBow61 the very best
Fans, if you could, please take a look ?? https://t.co/hAEK8C6lhD
â Sheffield Steelers (@steelershockey) March 5, 2019
Absolutely gutted to read the words in this crowdfunder. Such a top man, hockey player and friend. Cannot imagine what he is going through physically and psychologically right now. Let’s smash this crowdfunder way above target. https://t.co/LqCBWphUXL #oneNIHL #HockeyTwitter
â David Carr (@carrsy2) March 5, 2019