Charity work is the best thing I’ve ever done
RUGBY LEGEND SPEAKS OUT ABOUT INNER STRENGTH TO FIGHT DEMONS
IT is almost 14 years since Jonny Wilkinson kicked England to Rugby World Cup glory down under.
The legendary fly-half’s famous drop goal in the dying seconds of extra time was the highlight of an illustrious career spanning three decades.
Racking up domestic honours with Newcastle Falcons and French side Toulon, Wilkinson’s 2003 heroics saw him named BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year and he was rewarded with a CBE shortly after his retirement in 2015 for services to rugby union.
Bearing this all in mind, it may come sound strange to hear the 38-year-old confess he would not swap this present moment for any in such a successful sporting career.
But with his continued involvement with children’s charity NSPCC and the growth of the Jonny Wilkinson Foundation, the former rugby star is adamant he has never been happier. He said: “I don’t do these things in front of thousands of people, but I have never felt as happy and fulfilled. “I would not swap this moment right now.” Wilkinson has been involved with the NSPCC for more than a decade, representing the charity as an ambassador and helping raise tens of thousands of pounds in the process by speaking at fundraising events.
He is now currently helping to promote the charity’s returning Little Stars campaign, which asks the public for donations in exchange for naming a start in the Christmas Lights at Oxford Street.
Wilkinson said: “Similar to a lot of people, I have had my eyes opened when it comes to the shocking nature of some of what’s happened in the news.
“I think helping with that awareness can be hugely powerful, and I’ve learned a lot about that and become more aware of what can make a difference. “All children need help and it is up to those capable to provide it in a way to allow everyone to have the same opportunities in life. “It is about realising what we can do and allowing people to be all that they can be.” Away from the NSPCC and a variety of other campaigns, another of Wilkinson’s main focuses is the creation of a mental health foundation in his own name. Since retiring from rugby, Wilkinson has openly spoken on the debilitating impact of mental health issues he grappled with as a string of injuries took its toll. Describing mental health as an ‘on trend’ topic, he describes falling into ‘several deep holes’ up until the age of 27. He said: “Going through that and finding a way out has been the most powerful thing to have happened to me. It’s something that I want to share with young people and anyone in need. “For anyone facing these situations, it is enormously challenging and no-one can know how tough it is for you. There is no worse struggle or precarious position to be in than to be suffering on that level.
“Mental health is ultimately connected to everything – to feel fulfilled and complete by your own worth and not need to be told how to look after yourself and others.
“It’s when you feel absolutely phenomenal from yourself, you don’t need anything else from others or the environment.
“It’s about making people enjoy everything of themselves and who they are in their lives.”
Having formed two years ago, The Jonny Wilkinson Foundation remains in its infancy and is currently fundraising and researching to develop a greater understanding of the challenges youngsters now face.
Speaking from the dark times in his own experience, Wilkinson fears the message about ‘coping’ with mental illness can only ever be a quick-fix which ignores the source of the issue.
But in telling his own story about inner strength conquering the demons, the former rugby star hopes others can break out of the cycle by looking within themselves.
Wilkinson said: “There is an incredible journey out there that needs you to remove the barriers within yourself and create the space for choice, for opportunity, for excitement.”
Donate £4 by texting ‘NSPCC 4’ to 70755 or visiting nspcc.org.uk/chronicle.