The tragic loss of true rugby hero Patryk Milner
Patryk Milner died suddenly aged just seven, but has saved three lives through his organ donation.
The Rugby Football Union was deeply saddened to hear about the sudden passing of 7-year-old Patryk Milner, a rugby player at Sandbach RUFC.
From the time he could walk Patryk had a rugby ball in his hands. With his parents Andy and Aggie running the outside catering business for Sandbach RUFC, Patryk’s involvement in the club was inevitable, and he played tag from under 6s through to under 8s. It was no exaggeration to say Patryk was at the club every day.
“Patryk always had a smile on his face, a cheeky little lad who knew everyone's name and everyone knew his,” said Rob Mayor, former Chairman at Sandbach RUFC.
“He was a live-wire. His favourite drink was Vimto which he somehow made you buy from him and then proceeded to drink it himself. Not too much later, he would be seen playing the same trick on someone else.”
Saturday and Sunday were Patryk’s favourite days down the club, and he would frequently ride his scooter around the clubhouse and ask the senior players to play with him. His Favourite team was Sale Sharks and he loved interacting with ex-Sandbach RUFC player Will Cliff, who visited the club regularly. He will be dearly missed by all.
“Patryk will always be our super hero, his organs have already given three children the gift of life,” said father, Andy Milner. "The grief will always be with us, it’s like an ocean at the moment. We are in a storm in the Atlantic whereas my mum and dad are in the Mediterranean; always there but the waves not so big.”
The thoughts of everyone at the RFU and entire rugby family are with Andy, Aggie, family and friends, and Sandbach RUFC at this sad time.
