Supported Charities
Professional Rugby Players Association
The PRA is the representative body and collective voice of the professional rugby union players in England. It was set up to look after the interests of all professional players, from the academy to the stars of the international game. The PRA is a ‘not for profit’ registered trade union. Josh has played rugby union from the age of 4 and is more than aware from first hand experience of the pit falls and dangers of the sport. On average one squad member from each club every season has to retire prematurely through injury or illness!
Having played professionally since he was 18, he has been able to play with the knowledge that there is a representative body who have supported him, his welfare and provides future career advice. The committee would now like to thank them for this support but also in return help others.
Prince's Trust
Josh, as mentioned before, passionately believes in the development of young people to better their futures. He believes that by trusting and encouraging an individual, in guiding them and giving them opportunities, they are able to change their lives for the better no matter how difficult their past has been.
The Prince’s Trust does this in a wide variety of ways. To name a few, they give practical support, training, mentoring, and fi nancial assistance. Many believe The Prince’s Trust is funded by the government or the Royal Family this is by no means the case. The committee wanted to support this superb work, but also help in promoting the positive effect they have.
Army Benevolent Fund
Having served as an officer in the British Army, Josh is fully aware of the incredible job that the British Forces do around the world. Also having numerous friends who have recently served in operational roles, and a number having been seriously injured, he is even more aware of how their work affects the individual and also their families. The Army Benevolent Fund helps both serving and ex-military personnel and their families on an individual basis. They also support other Army Welfare charities.
Although a relatively small charity, it is seen as the ‘safety net’ for all benevolence and welfare in the Army and has a reputation for the dignity and modesty in which it operates. Regardless of the political decisions of military deployment, it is the service personel that ultimately risk harm. With such involvement, there are now more deployments to hostile environments and as such the welfare needs of service personnel and their families now and in the long-term will continue to increase at an alarming rate. With the support from authorities diminishing, the job of the Army Benevolent Fund is becoming increasingly important on what is already stretched resources.
It is believed that only 1 in 10 cases of ex-soldiers in need of help are reached. On average at the moment, 103 soldiers are dying each year. In the capital alone, 12% of the homeless are ex-servicemen. Coming from a generation that all too often forgets what enormous sacrifices have been and are made by so many to give us the personal freedoms that many take for granted, The committee feels strongly in aiding and supporting this charity.
NSPCC & Sparks
Josh already provides a great deal of support to these two charities whether through appearances or coaching. The committee feels a strong link to them and would like to include them in Josh’s year as he sees the essential invaluable work they do with children in this country.