On April 23 of 2022, Andrew Regan suffered a horrific spinal injury playing reserve grade for his beloved Orange Emus, at the club’s home ground of Endeavour Oval.

He was immediately airlifted to Sydney to undergo a marathon emergency surgery and almost a year of intensive rehabilitation, away from his family and friends.

Initially, he received devastating news – that his injury was so traumatic he shouldn’t expect a major recovery and was defined as a quadriplegic.

But now, three years to the day, ‘Reegs’ is set to overcome the odds and walk a full length of the very same field, all in the name of charity.

“Originally, I just wanted to reclaim the date of my accident on April 23 by walking the length of the field with the help of my physio team,” Regan said.

“But I also wanted to include the community that has sort of wrapped their arms around me and supported me through my recovery so far.

“So I’m really pleased to be able to do this down at Endeavour Oval, at Emus, and to be able to raise some much-needed funds for the Emus Foundation too.”

The Emus Foundation was established in 2024, with an aim to support injured rugby players or rugby clubs in need across regional areas.

‘Reegs’, a Board member, was instrumental in the Foundation’s establishment and its inaugural event last year, the Emus Foundation 10s.

To raise funds, ‘Reegs’ has established a GoFundMe and an online auction alongside his event on Wednesday, 23 April – dubbed ‘The Flight Of The Emu’. 

He will attempt to walk one 100-metre length of the field, with assistance, in one hour, a feat which seemed almost impossible not so long ago.

He has also called on others to join the event, with sponsors set to contribute donations for each 100-metre lap completed collectively, recorded in Strava.

Together with the event’s GoFundMe and the online auction, all proceeds will be donated to the Emus Foundation.

“I set the target at $2,000 initially, but (as of April 22) we’ve raised more than $16,000 which is pretty incredible,” he said.

“I’m so grateful to everyone who has supported my family and I, and supported this event so far, but we’ve still got more time and plenty of effort left.

“I’ve seen what this kind of injury can do, particularly to people in regional areas where access to specialist services can be limited. I’m just hoping everyone feels welcome to come and join in.”

The recovery, of course, won’t stop for ‘Reegs’ after Wednesday’s event. He still has a long way to go.

“It’s been a slog, and it will continue to be a slog, but things have gone so well throughout the course of my rehab,” he said.

“About a year ago I considered it hard just to stand up with the help of my physios, and that is an achievement, but I’m just so lucky that I can see the benefits of my hard work.

“I’m standing up all the time now and it’s to the point where just standing isn’t enough. Where I’d like to get and where I think I’ll get to is walking regularly with assistance.

“The hope is that doing that every day it will all continue to click into gear for me”.

‘The Flight Of The Emu’ will take place at 5.30pm on April 23 at Endeavour Oval.

People can follow or join the event on Strava, and running or walking for one hour on April 23.

People can also make a donation via GoFundMe, or make a bid on the prizes available in the online auction.

Links to all of the event’s fundraising activities can be found here: https://linktr.ee/emusrugbyclub