Our team-mate, Seb Goold, was just nine years old at Easter 2014 when he fell from a moving coach on his way back from a mini Rugby tournament in Norfolk. 

The Stamford rugby player suffered horrific and life changing injuries which necessitated the amputation of his right leg at the thigh in order to save his life. After nearly 6 months and 30 operations in Addenbrookes, followed by 3 months at an intensive rehabilitation centre for children in Surrey, Seb finally returned home just before Christmas. He has now rejoined his twin brother and friends back at school.

Before the accident Seb was an outstanding sportsman, challenging himself (as well as his friends and teammates) with his enthusiasm and desire to improve. 

He has always had a great sense of humour and this has been much in evidence throughout his recovery, as has his relentless determination to get better. He has though had to change his sports ambitions, but is determined to get back into and excel at sports again in the future.

The Seb Goold Trust was established in 2014 in response to the support shown by the community, friends at school and from local and national sporting clubs, who all expressed a desire to help Seb maintain his athletic potential. The Trust's motto is “Work Hard, Aim High”, which very much reflects the personality of this special young man.

The Seb Goold Trust has three objectives:

1.    To help Seb to have a full school, social and sporting life by procuring specialist sporting equipment, including a sports leg

2.     To help the people that have helped Seb by supporting the charities and organisations that have been so vital in Seb's recovery so far

3.     To help Seb to help others - Seb has the potential to offer inspiration and advice  to children and young people who have suffer similar injuries so they too can rebuild their lives and continue to achieve their full potential

Working hard, aiming high, courage in recovery and the importance of sport are at the heart of the Trust's long term mission

So… we are arranging the Seb Goold 500 cycle rides, comprising two sponsored cycle events, to raise money for the Trust.

The first event will be an arduous, non-stop cycle relay by three teams of riders around Rutland Water, where some of Seb’s rugby coaches and friends will attempt to cover 500 kms (310 miles) in approximately 24 hours.  The ride will start on Saturday 19 Sept, and will finish on Sunday 20 Sept.

I will take part in the second event, in which be Seb’s friends and teammates participating in a single 27 km (17 mile) lap of Rutland Water on 19 Sept.

For this “players’” ride, we are inviting mini-rugby players from Stamford Rugby and local rugby clubs to join the ride and raise funds for the Trust.

It is typical of the rugby family that we compete against each other on the pitch, but support and socialise with each other after the game.