The local community of Bromyard came together yesterday to raise funds to support a local man that sustained life changing injuries in an incident earlier this summer.
Jake Halling, who lives in Collington, near Bromyard, met with friends on Sunday 12th July as he often would to take part in one of his favourite outdoor sporting activities of Downhill Mountain biking and jumping.
That day was no different to any other day the group of friends had met up as they always did, just doing what they so enjoyed.
Between them they’d fallen off on many occasions, but as the old adage goes, you always get back on the bike, but none of them could have foreseen what was round the corner for Jake on that day.
Jake successfully cleared and landed a very large and fast downhill jump, which he had done many times that day. But on this occasion when landing the jump his bikes ‘front suspension forks’ snapped off.
This resulted in the bike stopping immediately where Jake took the full force and speed of impact. Jakes body crashed through the handle bars and into the front wheel.
Apart from Jakes multiple facial injuries and a broken neck, he also broke the upper part of his back on impact.
The damage caused by his broken back resulted in a complete spinal cord injury, leaving Jake completely without use and feeling of his body from the chest down.
Jake is currently in Oswestry Hospital trying to come to terms with his life changing injuries.
The T20 match at Bromyard Cricket Club was well supported, with a Greg Leighton XI taking on a Dean Corbett XI. Greg Leighton’s XI recorded a one run victory in a close encounter. An incredible £10,000 was then raised in an auction after the game.
Over £40,000 of the £50,000 target has now been raised on the Crowdfunding page that has been set up to support Jake and the requirements he will need to support his recovery. You can donate by visiting – https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/gemma-halling-smith?utm_term=kkdZp7BBA
Well done to the community of Bromyard for coming together to support this fantastic event.
