20 March 2015
We're wishing Michael Dobbs lots of luck today as he embarks on a week-long solo 150-mile walk to raise funds for his young neighbour Jack Fishwick who was left paralysed following a devastating rugby injury. The funds raised for Jack will support him in fulfilling his ambition of returning to live independently and running the sports rehab business that he co-founded. Though, the walking has not yet officially started, Lord Dobbs has already raised almost £20,000. Jack, aged 27, suffered the injury playing rugby for Wimbledon RFC in March 2014. He is now tetraplegic, paralysed from the chest down, and faces spending the rest of his life in a wheelchair. Jack has received a huge amount of support from all those around him, especially the Rugby Football Union’s Injured Players Foundation, which helps provide the necessary equipment, rehabilitation support and counsel that he and his family require. Michael said of his challenge:
“Jack's courage and resilience is awesome. He manages to smile and even find humour in his situation. I would like to do my bit to help. Something that's not going to be too easy, and might even hurt. That's why we devised the idea of a solo walk.”He continued:
“It will be around a quarter of a million steps, in order to help Jack take what might be the single biggest step of his life - making the transition back to living independently. As Jack says, with courage that is so typical, 'it's the same life, just a different journey.'”The walk starts today and ends on 27th March at the Richard Hale School in Hertford, the school Michael attended with Jack’s father. Pupils, who are actively involved in the fundraising and planning the route, will be walking the last miles with Michael. Celebrity supporters for walk4jack include Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright, the stars of House of Cards, the Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, the former leader of the Labour Party Lord Kinnock, the Bishops of London, Derby and Chester, and the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan.
“This is a fantastic challenge to help support Jack, an extraordinary young man, and a great cause in the RFU Injured Players Foundation. I will be following Michael’s journey closely and send both Michael and Jack my very best wishes.” Rt Hon David Cameron MP, Prime Minister.Though the walking only officially started today, Michael has already raised almost £20,000. Michael has already received the following messages of support: “This is a fantastic challenge to help support Jack, an extraordinary young man, and a great cause in the RFU Injured Players Foundation. I will be following Michael’s journey closely and send both Michael and Jack my very best wishes.” Rt Hon David Cameron MP, Prime Minister. The Walk4Jack campaign will be raising money for two causes; Jack Fishwick and RFU Injured Players Foundation. Full details of the walk, with further information on the route, can be found at the campaign website: http://walk4jack.com/