Hour of need
When HGV driver Jimmy Orr came off his motorbike during the Isle of Man TT race in June 2018, he was told he would never walk again.
He is no longer able to drive but now works in an administrative role at Warrington Mail Centre.
Clearly, Jimmy has had a lot of changes to cope with – but without the support of our in-house charity, the Rowland Hill Fund (RHF), he says it would have been harder.
‘I accepted the diagnosis,’ he said. ‘But my family have found it difficult.’
What the family had not expected was to be presented with an air ambulance bill four days after the accident, while Jimmy was still in hospital.
The Isle of Man is not part of the UK and so emergency medical care is not automatically covered for British citizens. Jimmy didn’t have travel insurance – so was left facing an unknown bill for his treatment.
‘I was worried it would be huge,’ he said. ‘It’s something you can well do without when you’ve just been told you’ll never walk again, and you’re paralysed from the chest down.’
When the bill arrived it was for £5,000. The RHF made a donation of £2,500.
‘When the money came through, it was like Christmas had come early. I had tears in my eyes,’ said Jimmy.
Jimmy is a natural-born adventurer and has already been back on a motorbike since his accident, working with the charity Bikers Experience. He has also taken up wheelchair rugby and fundraises for worthwhile causes like the RHF.
He urges colleagues to contact the Fund if they need to. ‘They’re there to help – and they will.’
This week is our Rowland Hill Fund Fundraising & Awareness Week, your chance to understand more about the kind of work our in-house charity does, and learn how you can support those who are struggling financially.
If you know someone who would benefit from help and support, contact the Fund via the confidential Rowland Hill Fund helpline on 0345 600 4586.
To find out more about the Fund, visit the RHF website. You can also contact them directly at rowland.hill.fund@royalmail.com or follow the fund on Facebook or Twitter.
