Changing Lives
On a cold, misty night in November 2024, an accident during a Vets match at Banbury Rugby Union Football Club changed lives forever.
It changed the life of John Baker — known to everyone as JB. A lifelong rugby player, coach and supporter, JB had always lived an active, social life, fuelled by sport, music and time with friends. In a split second, that life was altered beyond recognition.
The injury left JB paralysed from the chest down, with loss of function in both his arms and legs.
It also changed the lives of those closest to him — his wife Tina, his daughter Georgina and his son Sean — and rippled outwards to friends, teammates, colleagues and the wider BRUFC community.
JB’s Journey exists because of that moment. But it is not defined by it.
By raising awareness out of adversity, this journey is about what comes next — how lives can still be supported, connected and changed, even when the path ahead looks very different to the one expected.
Support where it mattered most
In the days and weeks following the accident, support came from many directions, from family and close friends to teammates and the wider rugby community.
At a time when everything felt uncertain, organisations like the Rugby Football Union Injured Players Foundation (IPF) provided vital guidance, reassurance and practical help for JB and his family.
That support didn’t just help them cope with the immediate aftermath. It inspired gratitude, action and a desire to give something back, a feeling that would later become 12 Hikes in 12 Months, and ultimately, JB’s Journey.
12 Hikes in 12 Months
What started as a personal way to give thanks soon became something much bigger.
In early 2025, JB’s daughter Georgina created the 12 Hikes in 12 Months challenge to raise money for the Rugby Football Union Injured Players Foundation (IPF), the very organisation that had been there for their family from the moment JB’s life changed forever.
The challenge set out to raise both awareness and funds, but it became more than just a fundraising event. It turned into a powerful way for JB’s family, friends, rugby teammates, and the wider community to come together and show their support.
Starting in January 2025 in the Lake District, the hikes have taken Georgina and her supporters across the UK, with each one marking a special moment of resilience and unity.
12 hikes. 12 months. One incredible journey.
By the end of the challenge, £30,000+ has been raised for the IPF, a testament to the power of community and the deep gratitude for the support JB’s family received during the toughest time of their lives.
Every step taken was a step forward for JB, for his family, and for those facing their own difficult journeys.
The Final Hike
On 20 December 2025, the final chapter of 12 Hikes in 12 Months will take place.
The last hike will be a gentle walk around Banbury, starting and finishing at Banbury Rugby Union Football Club, the club where JB has played, coached and been part of the community for so many years.
Friends, family and supporters will come together to mark the end of an extraordinary year-long challenge, reflecting on everything that has been achieved along the way.
The hike will culminate at the BRUFC Christmas Lunch, where the funds raised through 12 Hikes will be formally presented to the Rugby Football Union Injured Players Foundation (IPF).
It also marks an important moment forward, the official launch of JB’s Journey.
Not an ending, but a beginning.
What’s Next for JB’s journey
JB’s Journey is at the very beginning.
Formed out of lived experience, the charity’s purpose will continue to develop over the coming months; shaped by learning, listening and the needs of those facing their own difficult journeys.
At its heart, JB’s Journey aims to create awareness and support for people navigating life-changing moments. Not by replacing existing organisations, but by connecting people to the right help at the right time, and by amplifying the work of those already making a difference.
One of the first areas of focus will be understanding traumatic injuries like the one that changed JB’s life, and exploring how clubs, communities and support networks can be better prepared when the unthinkable happens.
JB’s Journey is about resilience, community and connection.
Honouring strength. Sharing experience. Making sure no one has to face their journey alone.
