Readers to the rescue

Aflanker who played for Tonga in the 2011 Rugby World Cup found his career promise turn into a nightmare. For three years Sione Vaiomounga has been trapped in Romania, where he had signed a professional contract, after collapsing during a game. It was kidney failure. He could never play again, but nor could he return home to Tonga, because the Pacific archipelago lacks dialysis machines. He, his wife and two little children were stuck. But on Wednesday readers saw a report on his plight in our Sport pages. Since then, more than £23,000 has been given through a Pacific Rugby Players Welfare page on the Justgiving website. Many donors mentioned the and the global family spirit of rugby. It is a touching tale. Once more our readers have revealed their warm-heartedness.