Charity Ambassador
DETERMINATION. SACRIFICE. REWARD.
Charity work became a natural substitute for Barrie’s sporting career for the much-needed opportunities it gave him to target, plan, and train for extreme physical challenges.
Barrie harnesses his physical and mental toughness, and his network of contacts, every time he undertakes a feat of endurance as a charity ambassador or fundraiser.
His endeavours have seen him play Rugby League in the crater of Mt. Kilimanjaro, trek to Everest base camp, complete the UK’s Three Peaks Challenge, run two London Marathons and finish scores of other runs over recent years.
Barrie’s philosophy of ‘paying it forward’ drives all his charity work whether putting body and mind on the line, organising a fundraising dinner or reaching out to his social media audience.
Within a year of donating testimonial match funds to Childline, his energy was invested in pal and fellow Ireland international Steve Prescott’s drive to raise funds for the Christie Hospital and the Rugby League Benevolent Fund.
Barrie regularly completes half marathons and 10Ks for the Jane Tomlinson Appeal. He finished the 2012 and 2013 London Marathon for Leeds Mencap. He recently completed the Three Peaks Challenge so the Danny Jones Defibrillator Fund could give life-saving equipment to amateur Rugby League clubs.
Also working with Rugby League Cares and areas of the sport such as Physical Disability Rugby League to give players with life-limiting conditions better access to the game, and with State of Mind to support athletes battling mental illness.
Charity Ambassador Roles
Barrie is a proud ambassador for two similar charitable organisations, The Steve Prescott Foundation and the Jane Tomlinson Appeal.
Both Jane and Steve proved adversity wrong when faced with desperate odds, and left inspiring legacies as a by-product of their remarkable courage and determination.
The Steve Prescott Foundation
Barrie became involved with the Steve Prescott Foundation after his World Cup teammate was diagnosed with a rare tumour. Steve’s enthusiasm and determination in the face of insurmountable odds galvanised the rugby league community. It inspired players and fans to undertake fundraising activities for his chosen charities – The Christie Hospital in Manchester and the Rugby League Benevolent Fund, now known as Try Assist. As a passionate believer that illness and disability should not prevent a person from undertaking challenges, Steve encouraged peers out of their comfort zones throughout his seven-year battle with cancer. Following Steve’s death, and in his memory. As ambassador to the charity, he reports to its board of trustees.
The Jane Tomlinson Appeal
Barrie was first moved by Jane Tomlinson’s story as a guest who saw the ‘amateur athlete’ receive her Helen Rollason Award at the 2002 BBC Sports Personality of Year awards. Before she died, Jane raised £1.85 million for charity by completing a series of athletic challenges, while suffering from terminal cancer. In 2008 Barrie undertook his first of numerous 10K runs and half marathons to raise funds in her memory. He supports The Jane Tomlinson Appeal in whatever way he can or it needs. Money raised in Jane’s name is routed into ground-breaking cancer research, counseling for bereaved children and similarly related charities. As ambassador to the charity Barrie reports to its board of trustees.
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