LYNDON Gale has a strong opinion of older brother Kyle after he was paralysed from the waist down in a car accident in 2010.
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In fact, he admits he sees him as an inspiration ahead of Hastings Valley Vikings' annual charity day at Oxley Oval on Saturday.
Hastings Valley will auction off specially designed jerseys after their clash with Port Macquarie Pirates to raise funds for the Guns Out Spinal Foundation.
The foundation was created after former Wallaby Richard Tombs suffered a serious spinal injury while playing in a game of over-35 football in August last year.
The Tombs family are closely involved with the Vikings, but Gale's family also experienced the devastation of seeing a loved one suffer a spinal injury.
As a result, both their names will appear on the sleeves of the jerseys.
"(Kyle) had a crack in his C1 (vertebrae) so he's (paralysed from) the waist down and they spent six months in Sydney which was pretty hard on the family," Gale said.
He is definitely an inspiration to me because after his six months he went and bought a hardware store with mum and dad and went straight back to work.
- Lyndon Gale
"He is definitely an inspiration to me because after his six months he went and bought a hardware store with mum and dad and went straight back to work.
"He's managing that now and he's probably a bit better off than me in life anyway.
"These sorts of things only happen to the people that can handle it I guess if that's a good way to put it, but it is a scary thought.
"He's come through it the other side and he's going great guns now; I look up to him as a person and I hope my young fella can in the future as well."
Tombs' injury, however, is classified as a "C4 incomplete spinal".
This means that all of his limbs are affected and due to the type of injury, longer term diagnosis is unclear.
Whilst there has been significant progress since the initial prognosis and he remained optimistic, there is a long road ahead and his recovery is uncertain.
"It definitely makes it hard for everyone within the family," Gale said.
"But it will be a good day for the club and two of his brothers are involved so we try and keep it close to our hearts."
It's a massive thing, we can't wait to get out there.
- Lyndon Gale
Saturday's fixture will also be the first time the Vikings have hosted a home match under lights at their spiritual home.
"The whole club is buzzing for the whole thing," he said.
"It's been a long time coming and it's a credit to all past and present members and the founders of the club.
"It's a massive thing, we can't wait to get out there."
Vikings reserve grader Tawhai Carter will also play his 100th game for the club on the day.
Every grade will be in action starting with the under-14s which will kick off at 11am.
First grade starts at 5.15pm.
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