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A thoroughbred race meeting will be staged in Newcastle in June to support a Lemon Tree Passage teen who was injured in a junior rugby league game last year.

Riley Coburn-Hall, 14, dissected an artery during a junior league game in August 2017, which caused a stroke that shut down the left side of his brain.

To help Riley on his long road to recovery, Jim Hall from charity foundation The Sporting Hope Association and Brian Judd, a director of the Newcastle Jockey Club, founded an eight race, fund-raising event that draws on support from businesses and the community.

Money raised through the event, called Racing for Riley, will be donated to the family. Racing for Riley will be held on Saturday, June 30.

Riley’s mother, Kathleen Coburn, said she had been overwhelmed with the support.

“Everything will go towards Riley’s recovery,” Ms Coburn said. “We’re working on getting the right balance of treatment and therapy and finding the right people to help him.

Riley was a full-back for Mallabula Panthers Junior Rugby League. Dean Gordon, Riley’s coach last year, said there appeared to be nothing unusual or illegal in any of the tackles he was part of during the game.

Please click on the the full story - Raceday at Newcastle Racecourse to raise funds for Port Stephens footballer Riley Coburn-Hall