Austin Hunter's official fundraise #Austin'sPowers

On the 19th June, Austin was first admitted to the East Surrey Hospital, since then he has survived Sepsis and now demonstrates what he can achieve against the odds.

Back in June, Austin walked into A&E at 6:30pm complaining of leg pain and his fingers and toes starting to discolour. By 10pm a retrieval team, from the Evelina Hospital was called. By 11pm Austin was in the resus room, with multiple drugs, fluids and painkillers being administered. He was falling into a severe septic shock and was deteriorating quickly. The cause of this was a blood infection, Strep A. By 11:30pm, Holly and I were informed that it was highly likely that Austin would lose this battle, closing in on a possible cardiac arrest and to prepare for the worst possible outcome.

Over the course of the next 7 hours, his heart rate was up to between 160 and 190 and his blood pressure at dangerously low levels. He was blue-light transferred to the Evelina Hospital, part of Guys and St Thomas’, London and admitted into Intensive Care. A team of 8 specialists were waiting for his arrival. They worked on him to control this infection and his body’s reaction to it. His liver, kidney and gut failed him and ultimately, he required emergency dialysis to try to extract the toxins from his body. Again, we were told to expect the worse as his body was put under incredible strain and stress to survive.

By 6am, the medical team were satisfied that they were in control of the situation. He remained critically ill but, sedated and in an induced coma, he was still alive. He remained in a coma for the next 3 days.

Austin has now spent 5 months in hospital and has had his left leg amputated, along with three toes on his right foot. He continues to be positive, strong and determined.

This fund raise is to support the charities that will help Austin regain his happy, active, competitive life. It is also for Austin and any specialist equipment he may need.

A series of fundraising events will be uploaded to his website;

www.austinspowers.com.

The first event will be Austin’s Dad, Warwick running the 2025 London Marathon. The Evelina Hospital will be the first charity to be supported, alongside raising funds for Austin’s specialist equipment.

It is imagined that Austin will return to a full, active and very competitive life. His zest for team sports will inspire us all. When he was informed of his amputation, he only thought about how it would affect his relationships with those he loves to spend time with, on the pitch, court or course. How, if he can’t compete, he won’t share those moments, create those memories and not participate in those shared experiences, win, lose or draw. But his amputation will not define him, nor limit him. Technological advances mean he can compete again, but he may need to change his game plan.

Dragon Hockey’s Managing Director, Andy McNamee said of Austin; “Keep pushing, have fun and trust your ability. The pitch is still yours and your team is lucky to have someone with your spirit. Every stride taken is a victory and you can show the world what true grit looks like”

We couldn’t agree more… watch him fly!