Amputee travels 100 Miles by bus to raise funds for rugby club
An amputee from Manchester has travelled over 100 miles using just his bus pass to raise funds for his rugby club.
Barry Mackleston, Club Secretary at Wythenshawe RUFC, set off from Manchester on Friday morning and arrived at Allianz Stadium in time for England’s Guinness Six Nations fixture against Italy on Sunday.
Mackleston’s journey has so far raised over £1,500, which will go towards upgrading Wythenshawe’s changing facilities.
He said: “We need to start repairs on our crumbling changing rooms – they’re not fit for purpose. Last year, we had a load of goody bags to give out to the kids who came to our summer fair.
“We stored them in the changing rooms, and they were feasted on by rats. It was at that point we realised we had to do something!”
As well as raising the much-needed clubhouse funds, Mackleston’s challenge was also a personal one – to prove that he’s still able to get to the Allianz Stadium despite being in a wheelchair.
Mackleston lost his leg after a life-changing hospital stay that lasted nearly a year.
He added: “The trip is a bit of a pilgrimage for me. I used to go to every England international game and by getting there on Sunday, there’s a bit of me saying, ‘I’m back – this hasn’t been able to stop me’.”
Mackleston credits much of his recovery to his time at the club, where he took on the role of Club Secretary after leaving hospital.
He said: “Wythenshawe is an incredible club. I came out of hospital a wreck and was really struggling with my memory after my stroke.
“I got involved with the club and became their secretary. Doing a whole heap of things that other people find difficult, like filling in forms and getting organised, has been a marvellous recovery tool.
“Rugby has given me so much over 50 years I have been involved – I can’t even begin to tell you.”
To donate to Barry’s fundraiser, visit his GoFundMe page: Wythenshawe RUFC Bus Pass Challenge.
