August 2026
John Baker had just turned 50 and was in the best shape of his life when a rugby accident left the Oxfordshire father-of-two paralysed from the chest down.
Now his devoted wife Tina and son Sean are taking on the Great North Run to raise vital funds for Spinal Research and to raise awareness of the devastating impact of a spinal cord injury.
John – known as JB – is a hugely popular member of Banbury Rugby Club. The former club captain and coach was playing in a Vets match in November 2024 when he went in for a tackle that went badly wrong.
The impact compressed and dislocated John’s neck leaving him completely paralysed from the chest down and dependent on a ventilator.
After four months in intensive care at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital he spent a further 14 months in a care home and Stoke Mandeville Spinal Injuries Unit before finally able to return to a new and specially adapted home in June.
“It’s been a huge adjustment, not just for me, but for my wonderful wife and kids,” said John, Managing Director of Hawkins Steel, Banbury. “One of the hardest things about this awful injury is not being able to hug my wife.
“But I’m so grateful to them for how they have coped and for all the wonderful support I’ve had from so many people, especially in the rugby community.”
Last year John’s daughter Georgina completed 12 hikes in 12 months to raise funds for the RFU Injured Players Foundation. And on September 13, Tina and Sean will be on the start line of the world’s biggest half marathon for Spinal Research, the UK’s leading charity funding research into life changing treatments for spinal cord injuries.
“It’s been a really tough 21 months,” said Sean, who is training as a chartered accountant with PWC in Birmingham.
“Dad coached me from the age of five so rugby has always been a massive part of our lives. I was always incredibly proud of him but even more so now. He’s my best mate and inspiration.
“He’s done so incredibly well and so has my Mum. She has been just amazing and it will be really special to do the Great North Run with her, and for Dad.
“Supporting Spinal Research was a no brainer. People just don’t realise what having a spinal cord injury means, what it takes and the massive toll it takes on everyone, especially the person injured.
“It’s just so important to raise awareness and money for research into treatments that can help restore movement and functions. It’s all about having that hope for the future.”
Every two hours someone in the UK is paralysed after a spinal cord injury. Globally, an estimated 15.4 million people are living with paralysis. It can happen to anyone at any time, changing lives instantly.
Suzanne Redding, Head of Audience and Communications at Spinal Research, said: “After decades of funding the best research and researchers we are now at a point where breakthrough therapies are coming through; where the impossible is becoming possible.
“It’s an exciting time, but we urgently need the funds to get these treatments to people like John who need them. Which is why every pound raised matters so much and why we are so grateful to Tina and Sean for supporting Spinal Research.”
To donate to Tina and Sean go to their fundraising pages.
