The frantic efforts of Jesse Ramien to get his six-week premature baby back to Australia from a Bali hospital has been helped by a host of fellow NRL stars.
Teo Ramien was born on October 11 – and the Cronulla Sharks centre and his wife Shell are desperate to coordinate a care flight home for their medically-induced newborn.
The cost is close to $130,000 – and so far, almost $57,000 has been raised.
It follows a GoFund Me page being created by Shavaun Hunt – the wife of Sharks forward Royce Hunt.
As it stands, the Sharks and the NRL are working closely with the Australian Embassy in Indonesia to rubber stamp the paperwork required which would see Teo flown to Australian shores.
Following his birth, Teo needed to be resuscitated for five minutes.
Many NRL players – from rival clubs – quickly donated to the cause, including the likes of AJ Brimson, Keaon Koloamatangi, Sitili Tupouniua, Jacob Saifiti, Taane Milne and Hame Sele.
Sharks players who helped out were Nicho Hynes, Siosifa Talakai, Briton Nikora, Jack Williams, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Blayke Brailey and Billy Burns.
The frantic efforts of Jesse Ramien to get his six-week premature baby to Australia from a Bali hospital have been helped by a host of fellow NRL stars
The Cronulla Sharks centre and his wife Shell (pictured, together) are desperate to coordinate a care flight home for their medically-induced newborn
To get Teo home, the cost will be approximately $130,000, with close to $57,000 raised at the time of writing
Fans were divided online over why a GoFundMe page had been set up given Jesse Ramien’s reported annual NRL salary with Cronulla
But news of the Ramien’s family dilemma left footy fans divided given the centre earns a reported $600,000-per-year.
One X (formerly Twitter) user @EAGLER0CK pointed to his salary, writing: ‘I get the premise, he’s in a pickle but come on man…’
The comment sparked a debate online, with @LeagueScenePod responding: ‘This isn’t it,’ in reference to the commenter’s opinion.
‘Ay, if you want go give Jesse and his family your hard earned by all means… I’m just saying it’s a bit rich putting your hand out when you’re a pro athlete… I’d say the same if it was a player at the club I supported,’ @EAGLER0CK responded.
‘Somethings you just can’t plan for,’ the @LeagueScenePod replied. ‘I doubt whether you factor in a cost of living crisis an emergency of this gratitude.’
‘Wish them the absolute very best. Horrible circumstances. Really do hope they can sort it out ASAP,’ another said.
‘But this isn’t reading the room very well. Most fans couldn’t fathom what he gets paid. Where’s his club? Where’s his teammates who earn just as much or more than he does? Really poor taste if you ask me.’
Ramien declared he will ‘play for nothing’ if it ensures his baby boy gets home safely.
His wife Shell was 33-weeks pregnant – and before leaving Sydney, the couple secured clearance from her obstetrician.
This was in addition to clearance from the airline and travel insurance cover for her pregnancy.
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