Trinity PDRL can announce the addition of Jimmy Gittins as Ambassador for the project.
Hailing from local village, Wrenthorpe, the ex-rugby league player has become a well-known local celebrity for his recovery journey since breaking his neck in 2002 while playing for Sharlston Rovers. He was told he’d never walk again and would not be able to have children.
Since then his recovery has been an inspiration, completing challenge after challenge, not least walking his wife, Lucy, down the aisle aided with crutches and becoming a dad of two.
Jimmy is an Ambassador for the Steve Prescott Foundation and sits on the board of Trustees for State of Mind – a charitable organisation supporting mental wellbeing.
Craig Shepherd, PDRL Project Lead, said “I met with Jimmy a couple of weeks ago and explained our vision, not just for Physical Disability but the whole encompassing topic of Disability Sport. We both left the meeting excited for what was to come and that excitement hasn’t subsided. We are honoured and privileged to have Jimmy on the team.”
Jimmy played at Wakefield Trinity in his younger years and is looking forward to being a part of the club once more albeit in a different capacity.
“In life adversity often means we can’t do the things we either once could or the things we would love to have a go at but with initiatives like PDRL that situation is changing,” says Jimmy.
“Through the power of sport and predominantly rugby league it’s leading the way to give individuals, both boys and girls, the chance to experience things they had at one time believed they never could.”
“I, first hand, understand that feeling of accomplishment and the unbelievable feeling of achieving it genuinely can’t be underestimated.”
“The PDRL and Wakefield Trinity should be very proud of what they are bringing to Wakefield and to its community and I can’t wait to be a part of this movement.”