I’m Liam, I’m 36 years old and husband and soon to be dad! In October 2025 I will be climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro with the aim of fundraising for Injured Players Foundation (IPF). This challenge will be massive for myself as I’m a full-time wheelchair user since sustaining a rugby injury in 2015 which left me paralysed from the chest down.
Mount Kilimanjaro is the largest mountain in Africa and the largest freestanding mountain in the world. I will be using a specially adapted wheelchair which will allow me to use my upper body to help drive me up the mountain. It will take me and my team 8 days to complete the trip, battling not only the climb but also altitude & freezing conditions. This will be especially tough as my injury means I have weakened lungs and struggle to regulate my temperature.
On the 5th of December 2015 while playing rugby against a local team; I took the ball into contact and instantly felt something was wrong after being on the end of a perfectly legal tackle. This would be the beginning of the biggest challenge of my life.
I had suffered a neck break at level C5/C6 - an injury which would leave me with paralysis from the chest down, weakness in my arms and limited finger movement. After years of hospital appointments and rehabilitation I have been able to get to a place in my life where I’m extremely happy and functional in a world that is extremely difficult for people with my injury. None of this would have been possible without the support I received from the Injured Players Foundation (IPF).
The IPF is a charity that works with the RFU to give support to rugby players at all levels who suffer a catastrophic injury while playing rugby. The IPF were at my bedside in hospital within 24 hours of my injury and haven't left my side since. They have not only supported my physical rehabilitation but have been with me every step of the way as I rebuilt my confidence. They have even supported me in creating a fully wheelchair friendly home.
The IPF also funds research into the causes and outcomes of catastrophic injuries, identifying the best ways to prevent and respond. The money raised will go a long m way in supporting the charity, and hopefully bring us closer to a future where we can prevent injuries, like mine, happening in a game loved by so many.
rfuipf.org.uk
Raising for
£1,596.12
raised of £50,000
