Raise funds for ACL Reconstruction Surgery

Hello everyone,

My name is Milly Robertson, and I’m hoping that in setting up this page and sharing some of my journey I can hopefully raise the funds for an ACL reconstruction surgery.

I guess growing up, every football crazy kid will say that they want to be a professional footballer and dream big ; that was me too. In reality it doesn’t always turn out that way.

After making my championship debut at 17, I sustained an ACL rupture to my right knee. Those who know me will understand the challenges I’ve faced along the way to return to football. Long NHS wait times, finding out the surgery was performed incorrectly and needing a further two stage revision surgery. I feel like one sentence doesn’t really do justice to the sacrifices I’ve made to allow me to return to playing. Anyone who has sustained an injury which has kept them from doing the thing they love, whilst questioning whether they’ll ever feel or perform the same, I hope can begin to sympathise with the journey I have faced.

Recently I was so close to achieving this dream that so many of us have in signing for a super league club. This was huge for me, given the set backs I have faced and finally making a full return just over a year ago with Blackburn Rovers. I had an amazing season with a great group of people which I will cherish forever. I had the privilege to make my return at Ewood Park and throughout the season continuously defied expectations not only as a group but as individuals. I earned my shirt in the starting 11 and continued to grow in confidence.

After a successful trial period at the super league club in summer, I was awaiting on the budget approval of my contract. I was invited in to train, and unfortunately before I could even begin to express myself in any way, what I had feared, happened.

I ruptured my Left ACL.

I’ve been struggling to navigate myself through this difficult time having sustained the injury in July. I’ve felt a lot of different emotions which I wouldn’t have expected. Embarrassed, frustrated and upset.

However, I know I’m in charge of my own path and I’ll write my own story. I’ve shown not only to my peers but to myself that I have the dedication and desire to recover from these set backs and to get back to doing the thing I love.

Unfortunately, I now find myself without a contract. I’ve got to find a way of getting the surgery done as soon as possible. I’ve been exploring my options, and with the long NHS wait times, it could be several months/year before I could get the surgery. This would not only impact my career for the current season, but the following season too. It would also implicate my studies in my final year at university and would cause me to miss a significant amount of time from coaching.

I’ve looked into my options privately and have been given a quote for surgery which I could get in a few weeks. This would allow me to return to play much quicker and start the recovery process.

I’m setting up this GoFundMe page to raise funds for the surgery and rehabilitation. Your support means the world to me, and any contribution will help me get back to doing what I love most—playing football.

Thank you so much for your kindness and support!