31 January 2020

A special and busy week for beneficiaries of the IJF at Oaksey House

On Monday 27 January, beneficiaries from Wales, Cornwall, Somerset and other parts of the South-West gathered at the Injured Jockeys Fund’s Oaksey House rehabilitation centre to take part in Beneficiaries Week. The five-day stay at Oaksey House in Lambourn consists of inspiring and informative talks, socialising and physical activity, and is hosted each year to support former jockeys with life-changing injuries from race-riding.

Isabel Tompsett, whose fall at Fakenham in May 2011 caused severe head injuries said: “This is an outstanding week, the IJF team have been fantastic and have worked together so well; from physios, to almoners to chefs to look after all of us and our carers too.

“For me it’s been really good to catch up with everyone, and importantly the people are trained and activities are specifically set up to cater for the group’s injuries, whatever they may be.

“IJF President AP McCoy joined the quiz night, and we’ve been zip lining, riding and even tried fencing. Richard Pitman delivered a talk, and nutritionist Hannah Trotman taught us some new recipes and challenged us to a smoothie competition. Truly outstanding.”