The Hearts and Balls Charitable Trust was founded 25 years ago, in the wake of a player suffering a serious spinal injury on the pitch that left him paralysed, and the fundraising which ensued. That player was Struan Kerr-Liddell, and we recently caught up with him to hear how Hearts + Balls has helped him over the years.
“Strange as it may sound,” he says, “I’m enormously grateful that I had my accident through rugby. I’ve received huge support and opportunities I wouldn’t have had if I’d just suffered a random accident, due to the spirit of the rugby community.
“I’ve been relatively lucky in that I still work,” he continues. “Until recently I haven’t needed too much support but having two young kids now, those requirements have increased. I had to move from a small flat to a house – which involved having to install a through-floor lift, paid for by the charity – and I needed a much bigger car, with a lift – otherwise I can’t negotiate the kids in and out – so had to opt for a more expensive wheelchair accessible vehicle.
“I contacted the Injured Players’ Foundation at Scottish Rugby who got in touch with Hearts and Balls who were able to help – it helps to have that dedicated point of contact and there were no forms to fill in as they know all the injured players.”
“The assistance I’ve received through Hearts and Balls has helped me prove that I can still live a pretty regular life.”
Consequently, when Struan was recently approached to take on the role as Trust Ambassador, he had no hesitation in saying yes.
“I was delighted to be able to do more to give back,” he says.
“Hearts and Balls is really going from strength to strength right now – especially with the recent defibrillator programme at clubs. I’d like to encourage more awareness of making things accessible all round and help get more people back to work.”
We continue to look after our long-term injured players in conjunction with Stuart Dow of Scottish Rugby and the Murrayfield Injured Players Foundation. This includes providing computers, fitness equipment, house alterations and educational costs.
We are extremely grateful to everyone who chooses to fundraise on our behalf and would respectfully ask you think of Hearts + Balls when undertaking any kind of charitable challenge.
Together we can all help rugby to help its own.
