More than $65,000 has been raised for a Samoan hospital which helped save the life of a well-known New Zealand rugby coach.
More than $65,000 has been raised for a Samoan hospital which helped save the life of a well-known New Zealand rugby coach.
Chiefs assistant coach Andrew Strawbridge contracted a serious eye infection in Samoa when he headed over for the All Blacks test earlier this year.
He spent time at the Moto'otua National Hospital before being rushed back to New Zealand in a critical condition.
Andrew Strawbridge said the experience has taught him a lot about the human spirit and people's generosity, and the money is already making a huge difference.
"There's been a lot of generosity, a lot of New Zealanders care a great deal about our region, about the Pacific region, and there's been a wonderful outpouring of support," he said.
"[It was a] very, very poorly equipped IC unit and it will make a big, big difference. Already the percentage is the increase in successful recovery for a visit to the ICU has improved."
Strawbridge, who's lost the sight in his right eye, said he's always been pretty positive and grateful about the life he lives, but the experience has increased that.
"It heightens your awareness of life and everything that's going on around you. Hopefully I'm going to become a better father out of it, a better husband out of it, and maybe I'll work in slightly different ways."