ABG backs former chairman’s fundraiser to get him back to golf after spine injury

  • Darren Bovis - Former Chairman

We were really pleased to welcome back our former chairman Darren Bovis recently – and get on-board with his fundraising efforts to get him back to golf.

Two years ago, he suffered a sudden spinal injury – he hasn’t played golf since but he’s now discovered an adaptive golf cart that can get him back out there.

The Group is supporting with fundraising to buy his own, while ABG member Izzy PR is helping to secure media coverage to raise awareness of his story. Other members are also supporting with donations, fundraising ideas and events to be scheduled for the coming months.

In 2020, after raking leaves in his garden, Darren felt a pain in his back. What started as a twinge led to him losing all feeling in his legs two days later and becoming paralysed from the waist down. It was caused by a disc compressing his spine.

After six months’ intensive rehabilitation, it was feared Darren would never walk unaided again but then he discovered the Rewalk machine – a state-of-the-art exoskeleton device which gives him the ability to stand, walk and even climb stairs.  It is also helping Darren to regain small areas of feeling in his legs.

Darren returned to Chestfield Golf Club recently, followed by Meridian TV to try out the ParaGolf kit – and loved it. It allows him to stand for shots and is also a mobile caddy, giving him the ability to independently move his golf bag around the course.

The technology comes with a hefty price tag – £25,000, so with the help of his friends, Darren is hoping to raise the funds needed to buy his own.

Kent cricket star and long-time family friend, Joe Denly is also backing his pal to help raise the cash he needs to change his life.

If you’d like to donate, please click here.


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