Friends rally for injured teammate Warrick Proudlove
BEFORE a devastating car crash in 2011 left Warrick Proudlove with significant disabilities, the promising young sportsman’s mates had his back on the football field.
Now, five of his former Claremont Football Club teammates and four friends will swim to Rottnest to help the Proudlove family fund his care and treatment.
In July 2011, Warrick and his mate Harley Burridge were travelling along Albany Hwy near Mt Barker when their car hit a runaway horse, leaving the 19-year-old with serious neurological damage.
Faced with the huge cost for their son’s ongoing care, the Proudloves were forced to sue Mr Burridge for compensation but lost their bid late last year after a court ruled the accident was not the driver’s fault.
Former Claremont FC players Coleman Cristenelli, Patrick Jannings, George Cunningham and Jordan Aitken will be swimming in a team next week, while Harry Garland will make the swim solo for the first time to raise money for their friend.
National League WA water polo players Adelaide Garland, Madeline Quinn, Jamie Davidson and Perri Thompson will be joining them in the Swim for Proudie.
So far, the community has contributed more than $6000 towards the effort. Mr Garland said while Warrick couldn’t talk or communicate, he had improved since the accident and sometimes indicated he could recognise voices.
“I’ll be taking on the challenge this year with Warrick in mind,” Mr Garland said.