IPF Clients Inspire the Rugby Family
IPF clients Dani Watts and John Mackness haven’t let COVID-19 stop their fundraising in support of the charity.
As part of the 2.6 Challenge launched by the London Marathon organisers on 26th April, they both took on personally difficult challenges and shared them across social media. John, whose injury 50 years ago means he uses a wheelchair for mobility, put in an amazing effort and walked up and down his ramp outside his home 26 times. Dani complete a series of challenges, including walking 26 steps in her back garden with the support of callipers and a frame, which featured on the national TV news.
When asked why she chooses to fundraise for the RFU IPF, Dani, who is still training to compete in the London Marathon in her wheelchair later this year, said, “they have given me a future. I met so many people in my spinal unit who had no support at all. I have been supported since day one by the IPF and by my rugby club.”
Continuing their support, Rams RFC got behind Dani with their women’s team, The Sirens, running the marathon distance between them. Their U14s team ran 146 miles, the distance from Reading to Swansea, in a team relay following the cancellation of their Easter tour.
And it’s not just local support which Dani and John inspired. The rugby community up and down the country got stuck in, including premiership rugby referee Tom Foley, who cycled 26k each day for 10 consecutive days, and England superstar sisters Poppy and Bryony Cleall challenged each other to a cycle-off. Having read Dani's story, the ladies at Risborough RFC were also inspired to raise money for the RFU Injured Players Foundation by running an ultra-marathon distance together.
Following their efforts, Eddie Jones sent Dani and John a personal message of congratulations, saying ‘it’s a tough time for everyone at the moment, and there’s some fantastic efforts from players in support of the RFU Injured Players Foundation. It’s this spirit that’s always shown in rugby. We fight, we keep fighting and when we fight together we’ll beat this virus.’
To discover more about the work of the RFU Injured Players Foundation, or how you can support it, please visit: RFUIPF page.
