In October 2018 Charlie was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. After the initial shock, he and his family have set about raising awareness and much needed funds for Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Charlie has been Chairman of The Wythenshawe Rugby Union Football club for three years, a club formed in 2015, a joint venture with RFU, Manchester Enterprise Academy (MEA school) and the city council sports forum group.
He leads a small committee group...
we all work hard to make a real difference in the community and leave a legacy that will last forever.
Wythenshawe is an area highly populated and with many social challenges. The idea was to give rugby union to people who would not normally get the chance due to economic geography.
“In addition to the rugby we work hard to connect the community and bring the social side of rugby into it too.”
APF Charity of the Year
At the start of the 2018/2019 season, the club decided to select a charity to promote and raise cash for that year.
Charlie asked the club committee if they could adopt the APF Charity for the 2019/2020 season, and due to the personal nature of this request, they of course agreed.
Under occupational health advice, Charlie’s employer has altered his role so he is office based now and has reduced working hours.
“Because of this I’m trying to fill my time and concentrate on something else worthwhile, the rugby club and the APF charity fit the bill!”
Charlie and the Rugby Club have organised numerous events – a Tough Mudder, Charity Comedy Night, Manchester 10k, bucket collection at a Premiership rugby match and more...
“Very recently, some of us, me included, have decided to do the APF skydive and will book it this week, it’s important for me to do something extreme to show others life goes on after a bad news diagnosis.”
What would you do, like Charlie, to show others that life goes on after a diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis? We'd love to hear about how you are inspired or can inspire others.
My family, close friends and I will carry on raising for APF for as long as I am able.