Once again, we saw the might of the rugby family this month as people from clubs across Oxfordshire came together for a rugby community walk in support of John Baker and his family, as they fundraised for the RFU Injured Players Foundation.
Since John sustained a catastrophic spinal cord injury in November of last year, it has been heart-warming to see the level of love and support shown towards ‘JB’ from family, friends and everyone connected to Banbury Rugby Club.
To create something positive from such a traumatic experience, John’s daughter Georgina decided to take on a challenge to raise money for the IPF to give something back to the charity that has supported her family at a time when they needed it most.
June’s Watlington Hill circular walk marked the half-way stage of Georgie’s 12 hikes in 12 months for her dad John.
It was a day on which the sun shone and then the rain poured, but nothing dampened the rugby community spirit displayed throughout, with friends and family spanning generations coming together to show their support for the Baker family.
“We’ve had 70 people here today and it’s been absolutely amazing. Everyone’s had such a good time," said Georgina. "People have come from as far as York, with a friend who used to play rugby with dad coming all the way down for this. I'd like to thank everyone who’s supported us both here today and on our longer journey. Banbury Rugby Club have been incredible since the accident and we appreciate all the support we've received from them and from clubs across Oxfordshire. I feel privileged to call everyone here, and the people in our area, my family.
“It was really important to us to raise money for the IPF because they have been amazing for dad and for us as a family. They’ve been there for us from the start and knowing they are just a phone-call away, and that they will always be there for us, is so reassuring. It’s so nice to have that support because it feels like we are not alone in this serious situation that we’re in. They are brilliant people as well.”
Georgina initially set a fundraising target of £2,000 for her year-long challenge, but thanks to her strength of will and the power of the rugby family she is swiftly approaching £24,000!
A huge thank you to everyone who has taken part in the hikes and contributed to the challenge so far.
If you would like to donate, please head to Georgina’s just giving page here
