Congratulations to Banbury RUFC’s Georgina Baker who won the ‘Unsung Hero of the Year’ award at this year’s Volunteer of the Year awards, supported by Switch, which took place at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
Georgina, who is the daughter of IPF member John, was recognised for her inspirational fundraising efforts for the RFU Injured Players Foundation and for the way in which she’s brought the rugby community together through her determination to create something positive from a life-changing event.
After John sustained a spinal cord injury playing for Banbury RUFC Vets, Georgina completed the challenge of 12 hikes in 12 months for the RFU Injured Players Foundation, organising, promoting and leading each event.
She galvanised the rugby community, raised an outstanding £42,000 for the IPF and heightened awareness of support available for injured players, while also inspiring greater involvement in community initiatives.
Speaking about winning this award, Georgina said: “It will take a while for this to sink in, but this award isn’t just for me. It’s for every single person who has helped other people who have gone through a really tough time in life.
“In our case, we’d love to share this award with everyone who has been there for my dad and my family.
“Our friends and everyone at Banbury Rugby Club have been incredible since dad’s accident and we appreciate all the support we've received from them and from the rugby community across Oxfordshire. They have rallied around us, and I feel privileged to now call them my family as well.”
Speaking about why she wanted to complete 12 hikes in 12 months as a fundraising challenge, Georgina said: “It was so important to us to raise money for the Injured Players Foundation because they have been amazing for dad and for us as a family.
“This was a great way to get everyone who’s been affected together and to do something positive that can help others in similar situations.
“The IPF has been there for us from the start and knowing they are just a phone-call away, and that they will always be there for us, is so reassuring.
“We feel so lucky to have that support network because it feels like we are not alone. They are brilliant people who genuinely look after you.
“As a family we want people to know who they need to call should a life-changing injury happen on a rugby pitch,” she continued. "If it does happen, you are in the best hands with the IPF as they know the steps to take and how to do it.
“I also want to let people know that you’re part of the rugby community, no matter what. That community has wrapped its arms around me and my family, and we are so grateful. So, I want to dedicate this award to the rugby community as a whole.”
Read more about Georgina’s story here
Watch Georgina and her rugby family take on a walk across Oxfordshire here
