Michael Fatialofa takes first steps since injuring neck as Saracens pledge to donate money for every try scored

Worcester Warriors lock suffered damage around his spine while playing against Saracens last month, with the relegated Premiership club pledging £1,000 to his fund for every try they score this weekend

Michael Fatialofa posted a video of his first steps since suffering a serious neck injury (Instagram/@michaelfats)

Worcester lock Michael Fatialofa has taken his first steps in his medical rehabilitation from a neck injury that occurred less than a minute after coming onto the field during last month’s Premiership match with Saracens.

The New Zealand-born Fatialofa released a video on his Instagram account late on Wednesday showing him moving his toes and elevating his legs without support before he is seen taking some tentative steps with the help of medical staff.

"Six weeks deep. Doctors didn't know me. Could be years of grinding ahead but determined to get out of this chair," Fatialofa wrote.

The 27-year-old spent four weeks in hospital after having surgery before he was transferred to a specialist spinal unit on 4 February.

His club said earlier this month they would be seeking to hold events to raise funds to help pay for Fatialofa's rehabilitation.

English champions Saracens, who have been embroiled in a salary cap row that has seen them condemned to automatic relegation at the end of this season, also promised to donate £1,000 for every try they score in this weekend's match with Leicester.

Fatialofa suffered the injury while playing Saracens, and the north London club will also look to raise money for the injured Kiwi with collection buckets around the ground, in the hospitality lounges and on the club’s match day shuttle buses.

Saracens also announced that for the rest of the season, they will donate £1,000 split across three charities for every try they score, with the money going to charity partner Duchenne UK, the Saracens Sport Foundation and the Saracens High School.

Reuters