An appeal has been started to help a Dubbo bull rider who was left a quadriplegic after an accident in an event at Armidale on Saturday.
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Jordan Robb has been riding bulls since he was two-years-old but in a tragic turn of events he was thrown from a bull and suffered damage to his neck and spinal cord.
He was rushed to Royal North Shore hospital in Sydney where doctors told him he had damaged his C4 and C5 vertebrae.
The 18-year-old, who grew up in Coonamble, has feeling to his chest and in his arms to above the elbow but can't move his arms and legs. Yesterday he was given some positive news by a doctor that he may regain some feeling and movement in his arms once the swelling around his spine subsides, but he faces the prospect of life in a wheelchair.
It has been a tough few days for Jordan, his mother Debbie and the rest of his family and friends.
Jordan's close friend Jessie Glass has been by his side at the hospital and said the support from everyone in the bull riding community and beyond had given him a major boost.
"He's a bit up and down but for someone of his age and in the circumstances, he is proving so tough," Glass said. Despite being a relatively small community, the rodeo family have come out in support. They have already begun fundraising and the family have been showered with support.
A Facebook page Jordan Lane Robb Fundraiser was established by his friends on Monday morning and by yesterday afternoon had attracted almost 3000 likes. There have already been pledges of support and businesses who have donated items to be auctioned off.
Former bull rider Greg Gibson is building a stock trailer that will be auctioned off and 13 sponsors have been found, who each offered $500. An auction will be held at a later date for everything currently being donated. An account is also being set up so people can donate money.
In the meantime anyone looking to donate is asked to contact the administrators of the Jordan Lane Robb Fundraiser page.
"He has had so much support from the rodeo community and that is really keeping him going. It's made him really emotional and he's quite overwhelmed."
"He heard from Dodge [Jamie] Manning, the bull-rider who suffered bad burns in a car accident near Dubbo earlier this year, that phone call really lifted his spirits. He has also had messages from riders across Australia and overseas.
"We are reading and showing him as many of the messages as we can. It's not possible to write back to everyone but Jordan and his mum are grateful for every message they get."
Jessie said his friend has no regrets about competing in bull-riding and wishes he could get back into it.
"He doesn't hold it against the sport. He knew the risks and he actually said "at least it happened doing what I love". He said if he could get back on one today, he would," he said.
It has been a tough year for the bull-riding community, especially of Coonamble. Earlier this year Mitchell Judd was thrown from a bull and was left with brain damage.
"When that happened we thought it was a one-off thing. I didn't think it would happen to two of my best mates in the one year," Glass said.
"Jordan has accepted it and now he is focusing on what he has to do."