As Liam O’Keeffe’s Kilimanjaro climb draws near, the IPF member has ramped up his fundraising activity with the support of the Bristol rugby community and professional rugby referee Luke Pearce, an ambassador for the RFU Injured Players Foundation (IPF). 

The IPF, through their connection to Liam, was the chosen charity for the inaugural Sandy Mitchell Bristol Combination 10s Tournament at  Lockleaze Sports Centre this month. 

Named in honour of the centre’s late trustee, Sandy Mitchell BEM, who made an enormous contribution to both rugby and the local community, the tournament will benefit a different Bristol-relevant charity each year.

The IPF have supported Liam O’Keeffe ever since he broke his neck playing for St Marys Old Boys RFC in Bristol 10 years ago. This October, he aims to become the first person with tetraplegia to push himself up Mount Kilimanjaro in a specially adapted mountain trike, as he seeks to raise £50,000 for the IPF.  Watch a short film telling Liam’s story here

 “The IPF has looked after me since day one of my injury,” explained O’Keeffe. “Their support has removed so many of the barriers that makes being disabled difficult. It’s an amazing charity that continues to do whatever it can to make my life better and more enjoyable. 

“When I thought about how I could raise awareness of the IPF, I figured—why not climb a mountain? The bigger the mountain, the greater the awareness, that’s what I’m hoping!”

Back on lower land in Lockleaze, a hugely successful afternoon of top-quality rugby brought together teams from across Bristol including Ashley Down Old Boys RFC, Bishopston RFC, Southmead RFC and eventual tournament winners Bristol Saracens RFC. 

The Bristol Referees Society were also out in force to support the fundraiser, joined by international referee Luke Pearce who volunteered his time to officiate the Semi Finals and Final. 

O’Keeffe said: “I’m massively appreciative of the support from all teams, match officials and everyone at Lockleaze Sports Centre. I've been very fortunate that Craig, who I used to play rugby with, is MD at this facility and he's arranged the tournament. 

“It’s been pretty cool to have Luke Pearce here today too. Everyone knows who he is, but he’s really down-to-earth and having him ref and represent the IPF has been awesome.” 

Photo credit: @marcetingm3dia

Luke Pearce said: “It’s been a lot of fun today and inspiring to meet Liam and to hear more about Kilimanjaro challenge. 

“We spend a lot of time in the professional game worrying about winning or losing, and that sometimes becomes the be all and end all. Coming back to ref games where players are playing for fun and to help one of their old teammates or old opponents is what rugby’s about and it’s brilliant to see. Today was all about raising money for an important charity.”

Friends, families, and former teammates came together not only to back Liam’s challenge but also to celebrate Sandy Mitchell and the values of rugby he embodied—respect, teamwork, enjoyment, and sportsmanship.

Craig Capel, MD of Lockleaze Sports Centre, said: “The tournament was a fitting tribute to Sandy. He was a rugby legend in the area and a driving force behind building this amazing facility for the people of North Bristol. I was inspired to create something in his honour and what better than a charity rugby tournament. It was wonderful to have Sandy’s family with us today to see what he meant to our community.

“Supporting Liam and the RFU Injured Players Foundation today was so important to us. I was playing in the match when he had his accident, and it affected everyone deeply. 

“We didn't know much about the IPF before his injury, but what they’ve done since has been incredible.  The IPF’s support has been life-changing for Liam – including enabling him to increase his physiotherapy from five or six hours a week to five or six hours a day. That’s massive. 

“We know incidents of these types in the game are gratefully limited, but it’s important the rugby community know the IPF are there to support when they can, if they are needed.

“It was great to listen to Luke speaking so passionately about the work of the IPF. Everyone was blown away having him here. He’s been a fantastic presence on the pitch and off it, talking to people, having photos and most importantly being here to support Liam and raise money for the IPF.”

Pearce added: “We spend a lot of time in rugby talking about community and the game’s values and it's so important that we look after those who are injured playing the game that everyone loves, making sure they and their families are supported for years to come. 

“In 15 years of professional refereeing I've never seen an injury like Liam's. Thankfully they are incredibly rare. You can’t be naive to think there won’t be an element of risk in any contact sport, as there is in any aspect of life, but in rugby we're doing everything we can to mitigate that and to make the game as safe as possible. The IPF also plays a vital role in that by funding research aimed at reducing the risk of these types of injuries happening in rugby.”  

A huge thanks goes to Lockleaze Sports Centre and everyone who attended and donated to Liam’s fundraising challenge. 

Donate here if you would also like to support Liam and find out more about Liam’s challenge here