IPF injured player and trustee, Lee, recently enjoyed a day when rugby gave his eight-year-old twins, Nola and Harley, the chance to run out with the team as mascots when England beat Wales at Twickenham 19-17.
Having been catastrophically injured playing for Solihull rugby club Silhillians, Lee Jones is now the club’s chairman and, as an RFU Injured Players Foundation (IPF) client, he is also one of the charity’s trustees. A couple of years ago he was BBC Sports Personality Volunteer of the Year for the Midlands.
Nola said she was going to write about the brilliant day in her diary and Harley said he loved being on the Twickenham pitch for the national anthem.
Such a Special Day
Said Lee: “It was such a privilege to see my kids run out at Twickenham as England embark on their Rugby World Cup journey. People at my club were tuning in to see them on TV, as well as all our family members. It was such a special day.
“I like to give back to rugby after all that rugby and the Injured Players Foundation has done for me, that’s why I became a trustee. I also thought it would be good to have a client perspective when making decisions. I knew the help given to us as injured players but what amazed me is the scientific research that is done and how far the IPF is involved in making the game safe on behalf of all players. The charity is so involved in injury prevention that it’s really impressive.
“I was 34 when I was injured playing for my club Silhillians and the IPF has been there for me and my family since day one. I have been on Battle Back weekends which make such a difference. I even managed archery! I’ve enjoyed matches in the special IPF hospitality box at Twickenham; the social side of bringing clients together is fantastic. I’ve also had a standing wheelchair funded which is great and to keep me connected I’ve been provided with an iPad and phone.”
Marathon Effort
Also in the IPF hospitality box for the match was fellow trustee Dr Stephen Duckworth with two of his four sons, Ed and Andrew, both having recently run the London Marathon with their other brother Rowan, raising £12,800 for the IPF.
Said Stephen: “It was lovely to see Lee’s twins going out with the England team. As a trustee he is a tower of strength and has brought a greater sense of club rugby to the Board. We have found him a big help.”
