London Irish
Ben Leia Charity Abseil
By Trouble_gb
November 23 2010
Canterbury of New Zealand has joined forces with the Ben Leia Trust UK with the aim of helping to raise at least £25,000 by sponsoring the Ben Leia Charity Abseil.
Ben had a very promising rugby career ahead of him, having been selected to represent the emerging Manu Samoa youth team during a tour of New Zealand due to take place late in 2010. In January however, he suffered a horrific neck fracture during training which has left him a life-long tetraplegic.
At 22 years of age Ben faces a life of great difficulty. He has no feeling below his upper chest, and can only move his neck and head. The Samoan Health service is not equipped to take care of someone in Ben’s condition and they have no National Health Service nor Government aid to offer him the medical care, emotional support or to provide the specially adapted equipment he will need to maintain any quality of life.
The Spinal Trust of New Zealand has worked hard over recent months to raise awareness of Ben’s story and as a result the world wide rugby community has so far raised money to provide Ben with the specialist medical equipment and adaptations to the family home that he will need for a more comfortable and healthy life, but Ben will need on-going support for the rest of his life, not just now.
Click on image for a larger version
On Sunday 20th March 2011, the Ben Leia Trust UK will be holding the Ben Leia Charity Abseil sponsored by Canterbury. A team of 35 volunteers will abseil down Guys Hospital in London, which is the tallest civilian abseil in the UK at 143m high. Achieving the target of at least £25,000 will ensure that Ben and his family will have the necessary equipment and adaptations required.
Chris Stephenson, Chief Executive of Canterbury stated;
"We are delighted to be sponsoring the Ben Leia Charity Abseil and hope that by being involved we can raise awareness of Ben's plight."
"It is extremely sad to hear that Ben has been permanently injured from playing a sport he loved and had a natural ability for."
"I will be taking part in the charity abseil, and hope to get additional support from others associated with Canterbury. I am confident that we can raise as much money as possible and give Ben and his family a better life going forward."
For those interested in coming along on the day to show support for Ben and those taking part, the event will commence a 9am at Guy's Hospital. It will be your chance to meet a number of rugby celebrities who have chosen to support this very good cause.
For those who are interested in taking part in the abseil or for more information about the event, please email
benleiaabseil@hotmail.co.uk
For those of you who prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground but wish to make a donation you can do so by also emailing benleiaabseil@hotmail.com.
Every penny will count and help Ben for many years to come - please give as much as you can!
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I'd rather be a Paddy than a quin.
I'd rather drink a Guinness than a Pimms.
I abseiled down this a few years ago for one of the big charites.... I'll try and find the photos !!
I heard about Ben's situation via this messageboard and those of you that know me will know that I can't just sit back when I hear about causes like this.
This is my project and I'm organising this abseil with help from Freddie Tuilagi and our sponsor Canterbury but I'm doing this in my spare time around work and other commitments.
The response of people after hearing about Ben's accident has been overwhelming and in New Zealand they raised over 250,000 NZ$ to build him a house and to provide him with a bed and wheelchair.
This is not a big event as yet but it's growing everyday and we are hoping to announce some big names who will be taking part on the day but we are looking for 20 other participants who would be willing to raise £500 and do the abseil.
This is not an event organised by an event company - this is just little old me trying to do something to make Ben's life better.I have been told that if we can raise £25,000 then with the money raised in NZ this would look after him for the rest of his life!
So if you are interested in taking part or making a donation to this cause then please email benleiaabseil@hotmail.co.uk or PM me on this message board.
Thanks
Suz xx
All reports are that Ben is a lovely young man and your donations or support will make a genuine difference in his life - for those who can do so, please help.
So.... if anyone fancies sponsoring me the page is....
Ben Leia sponsor page
Still trying to find my previous photos and will post when I locate them (in my horizontal filing system !!!!)
