Mackay family thank rugby community

http://news.rugbyheaven.com.au/break...0414-a5dv.html
The family of Brumbies lock Shawn Mackay have thanked the worldwide rugby community for their support following his death last week.

The 26-year-old died from complications following surgery after he was hit by a armoured response vehicle following the Brumbies' loss to the Sharks in Durban on May 29.

Mackay twice underwent major emergency surgery to repair a compound fracture to his left leg, multiple facial fractures and to fuse his cervical spine but he died after contracting a blood infection that caused a fatal cardiac arrest.

His parents John and Leonie Mackay on Tuesday thanked the many well-wishers who had offered support following their son's death.

"We have been inundated with countless generous offers and messages of support and it has been reassuring and flattering to know that Shawn has so much support in Australia, South Africa and around the world," the Mackay's said in a statement.

The family also praised the staff at St Augustine's Hospital who they said worked tirelessly to save Mackay's life.

"We were relieved to be able to communicate with Shawn for the last week and able to communicate to him how much we loved him and he to us," they said.

Finally, the Mackays expressed their appreciation to the Brumbies club for providing a home-away-from-home for their son.

The Sydneysider would have been proud to see his side get up against the Stormers at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night, they said.

"It made Shawn incredibly happy to be a part of the Brumbies and having been entrenched in the side of the past three weeks, we can appreciate why it became his second family while he was in Canberra," they said.

"Rugby was always a passion of Shawn's and the fact that he was able to play professional football ensured that he lived and died a very happy man."

Mackays funeral will be held at Mary Immaculate Church in the Sydney suburb of Waverley at 10.30am on Wednesday morning, and a memorial mass will be held in Canberra at St Christophers Cathedral in Forrest, also at 10.30am.