SPORTS-mad Jamie Rigby has been forced to take a break from charity fundraising because of a broken leg.

Jamie, 14, broke the leg while water-skiing, so now he has to take it easy and count the days to when he can start raising money for worthy causes again.

The youngster from Hindley, Wigan, a pupil at Standish High School, has been raising money for charity since he was at primary school.

When funds were needed for the school and the Handicapped Children’s Pilgrimage Trust — the school’s chosen charity that year — Jamie staged a sponsored golf bash and raised £700.

Not long after, he heard his mum Susan discussing a local boy who needed an artificial eye which would be unavailable for two years on the NHS.

Jamie took the plunge with a sponsored swim — and raised £600.

He went on to raise another £600 with a sponsored bike ride for a woman who needed a new electric wheelchair.

Activities

For the past year, he has been baking cakes for people living alone, delivering them to the door and raising money for ChildLine at the same time.

A week before his water-skiing accident he abseiled down the Quality Hotel at Wigan and raised £105 for Childline.

His gran Christine Rigby said: ‘‘It’s strange that after all these daring exploits Jamie should break his leg in the water.

‘‘It’s put a stop to his activities for a while and he’s really frustrated.

‘‘He is very caring and has learned a lot about life with his fundraising. It takes courage to ask people for sponsorship.’’

Frustrated

Jamie said: ‘‘I’m very lucky, really, to live in a good home and have lots of friends. I can raise money for others less fortunate by doing things I enjoy.

‘‘But it’s really frustrating not being able to do anything because of my leg.’’

Jamie is the latest nomination for the Manchester Evening News Community Awards, run in association with car giants Mercedes Benz.

Finalists will next month attend a presentation at Manchester town hall.

Category winners will receive £1,000, with two runners-up each receiving £500.

Tweet