Brain tumour survivor returns to the rugby pitch for Boxing Day match
Chae Jenkins was told he would never play rugby again
Last updated 1st Jan 2023
A young brain tumour patient who was told he would never play rugby again has hit the field in a charity Boxing Day match.
Chae Jenkins from Bude in Cornwall was recovering from leg lengthening surgery when excruciating headaches led to the discovery of an inoperable mass on his brain in January 2020.
He said: "It's kind of indescribable really. I've spent most of my life on the rugby pitch whether it was playing, watching, training, whatever.
"My favourite part of rugby was that feeling of scoring and that's what I've finished on".
The game kicked off at 11:00am at Launceston Rugby Club, Polston Bridge, PL15 9QT, on Boxing Day, where he played alongside some of his professional rugby player friends, including Alfie Petch, Northampton Saints and Cory Teague, Exeter Chief sand Cornish Pirates.
The idea was to surprise his mum and the crowd by lacing up his boots and joining the last play of the game without the use of his wheelchair or a walking aid - to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.
Chae told us what it meant to be back for the first time playing part of a match since surgery:
"I always said after I was diagnosed I wasn't allowed to do contact again. I always said if I had the chance to play again, even if it was the last time I played, I would do it.
"It's pretty amazing to have that feeling again. I get to be on the field with 30 other people including the ref, it is something I definitely miss".
Read more:
Young Cornwall rugby player shares brain tumour story in bid to raise awareness