A community has rallied to raise more than £5,000 for a Cardigan football player left with life-changing injuries after a serious crash last week.

Maesglas FC player Sean White was a passenger in a car involved in a serious a road traffic collision last week.

He sustained life-changing injuries and was airlifted immediately to the Heath Hospital in Cardiff where he has undergone hours of lifesaving reconstructive surgery including thoracic surgery and a tracheostomy.

Emergency services including police, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and the Wales Air Ambulance attended the crash at around 11.30pm on Saturday, September 21, in the Bron-y-Dre area of Cardigan.

Police said that an 18-year-old man had been arrested in connection with the incident on suspicion of drink driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and failing to stop. He has been released on bail pending further police enquiries.

Five people were taken to hospital following the collision between a Volkswagen Polo and a hedge, one by air ambulance. Last week officers confirmed that two people remained in hospital in a stable condition with the other three being discharged.

The incident was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC ) who have referred it back to the force for local investigation.

Sean, described as "an outgoing sports loving 17-year-old" by his aunt Rowena Reed, is in the intensive care unit at the Heath. He is facing months of recovery in hospital as well as the possibility of more surgery in the future.

Sean’s friend and Maesglas team mate Emma James has set up a GoFundMe to support Sean’s family and help ease the pressure financially.

“For those that know Sean, you will know him as a kind, funny, caring boy that’s friends with everyone,” she said.

“He loves sports, especially football and has recently just started college.

“[Sean] has been left with life changing injuries. He is facing months in hospital before being able to come home and start a long road to recovery,” said Emma.

“This will have a profound impact on Sean's life for the foreseeable.”

Emma set up the GoFundMe in the hope of raising £3,500 to help support Sean and his family.

The community has rallied round and just a week after it was set up it has raised more than £5,000.

You can support Sean and his family by visiting gofundme.com/f/seans-family-and-to-ease-the-pressure-financially.