A 16-year-old Keighley Crusaders Rugby Union Club player remains in hospital in Leeds after he was badly hurt in a match.

Nathan Cubitt, from Silsden, suffered severe neck injuries during a scrum while playing against the Bradford and Bingley Bees.

The South Craven School pupil was taken to Leeds General Infirmary where he underwent spinal surgery. His condition is said to be “comfortable”.

His mother, Susan Cubitt, said: “He’s not fantastic – but he’s coping with it quite well. He still has no feeling below his armpit area and he’s got no fine motor movement in his arms. It’s been like that since he had the accident.

“He’s got more than 3,200 followers on Twitter and the support he’s been getting from their messages has been phenomenal, it’s really been keeping him smiling. Angel Telecom, in Bradford, has given him a hands-free kit for free. It’s totally voice activated so he can talk to us any time. I’d like to say thank you to them and thanks to everyone who’s been helping Nathan – especially his friends Andrew, Lesley and Chris.”

England rugby star Jonny Wilkinson is one of many players, fans, friends and other well-wishers who have contacted Nathan or his club with messages of support.

Michael Greaves, Keighley Crusaders club secretary, said Mr Wilkinson had personally got in touch with the club’s welfare officer to express support on behalf of himself and the England team.

Former England rugby union manager Martin Johnson, visiting Ilkley at the weekend, recorded a special message for the teenager.

Mr Greaves added: “The response has been tremendous – Nathan received a signed shirt from the England rugby team, messages of goodwill from lots of senior players in England and from other players around the world.”

He said Nathan had been with the Utley-based club for about two years. He said he was hurt during a game in Keighley on Sunday November 6, but the full extent of his injuries was still unclear.

Under 17s coach, Ian Simons, said the response had included an offer of a signed shirt from the Argentinian national rugby team, a message of support from the assistant coach of the French side, and a hospital visit by a pair of Leeds Carnegie rugby union players.

Cottingley resident Yvonne Baines, who has a son who plays for Keighley Crusaders, is organising a Zumba session and raffle to raise money for Nathan’s family, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on Wednesday December 14 at Silsden Athletic Football Club, in Keighley Road.