Shropshire umpire John McIntear has launched a GoFundMe campaign in a bid to extend his cricketing career despite a terminal diagnosis.
John, a member of the Shropshire Association of Cricket Officials received his diagnosis due to lung cancer in June 2018 – but is not ready to declare just yet.
He said: “Once I was diagnosed and given a prognosis of 6 - 18 months to live in June 2018 I came up with a saying to keep my spirits up and inspire other people. My saying is that I am "Still smiling and still strong".
Unfortunately, owing to a reduction in John’s capacity to stand for long periods of time following chemotherapy and the requirements of quick physical activity in umpiring a game he decided to find an alternative and unique way of being in the right place at the right time.
His idea was to use a powered wheelchair that gives him the movement he requires to continue.
“My mental capacity is still at an acceptable level for cricket umpiring and I wish to continue my love of cricket and the joy I get from the game”, he said.
His aim is to develop a powered wheelchair for umpiring which could be a prototype for others with similar disabilities to allow them to continue officiating – which he believes would be a first for cricket.
Having umpired Disability Cricket in the Shropshire, John is aware that the ECB have a successful national programme where manual wheelchairs are in use for players.
John is well-known in Shropshire cricket circles having umpired at many levels across the county including the Henshalls Shropshire County Cricket League, while also mentoring colleagues completing their ECB Stage 1 and 2 courses.
He is also on the committee of Shropshire County Cricket Club and is responsible for player registration.
John has a GoFundMe campaign https://www.gofundme.com/f/disabled-officiating-from-a-powered-weelchair to enable his continued participation cricket.
It aims to allow him to buy a Powered Wheelchair, a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) and be able to fund and develop appropriate protective equipment he will wear when umpiring.
He said: “Motability have kindly funded me, via a grant of £6,000, to acquire the WAV and I am currently awaiting delivery.
“In addition, amongst many individuals who have donated, I have received financial contributions from SACO and the cricket family in Shropshire.
“As an ex-serviceman, the Royal British Legion have become involved fundraising on my behalf and although there is approximately £5,000 left to raise, hopefully by the time lockdown is over.
“If anyone feels able to donate to the campaign it would be greatly appreciated”, he continued.
John would like to extend his thanks and gratitude to all his fellow officiating colleagues, players, supporters and followers, at all age levels of cricket in Shropshire.
“Even before my cancer was diagnosed, I have experienced and been privileged to experience the enthusiasm and support the game in Shropshire rightly deserves.
“When I was diagnosed with cancer the overwhelming warmth and encouragement from all areas of the Shropshire Cricket Community wherever I went was to continue in the game I love”, added John.
John, a member of the Shropshire Association of Cricket Officials received his diagnosis due to lung cancer in June 2018 – but is not ready to declare just yet.
He said: “Once I was diagnosed and given a prognosis of 6 - 18 months to live in June 2018 I came up with a saying to keep my spirits up and inspire other people. My saying is that I am "Still smiling and still strong".
Unfortunately, owing to a reduction in John’s capacity to stand for long periods of time following chemotherapy and the requirements of quick physical activity in umpiring a game he decided to find an alternative and unique way of being in the right place at the right time.
His idea was to use a powered wheelchair that gives him the movement he requires to continue.
“My mental capacity is still at an acceptable level for cricket umpiring and I wish to continue my love of cricket and the joy I get from the game”, he said.
His aim is to develop a powered wheelchair for umpiring which could be a prototype for others with similar disabilities to allow them to continue officiating – which he believes would be a first for cricket.
Having umpired Disability Cricket in the Shropshire, John is aware that the ECB have a successful national programme where manual wheelchairs are in use for players.
John is well-known in Shropshire cricket circles having umpired at many levels across the county including the Henshalls Shropshire County Cricket League, while also mentoring colleagues completing their ECB Stage 1 and 2 courses.
He is also on the committee of Shropshire County Cricket Club and is responsible for player registration.
John has a GoFundMe campaign https://www.gofundme.com/f/disabled-officiating-from-a-powered-weelchair to enable his continued participation cricket.
It aims to allow him to buy a Powered Wheelchair, a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) and be able to fund and develop appropriate protective equipment he will wear when umpiring.
He said: “Motability have kindly funded me, via a grant of £6,000, to acquire the WAV and I am currently awaiting delivery.
“In addition, amongst many individuals who have donated, I have received financial contributions from SACO and the cricket family in Shropshire.
“As an ex-serviceman, the Royal British Legion have become involved fundraising on my behalf and although there is approximately £5,000 left to raise, hopefully by the time lockdown is over.
“If anyone feels able to donate to the campaign it would be greatly appreciated”, he continued.
John would like to extend his thanks and gratitude to all his fellow officiating colleagues, players, supporters and followers, at all age levels of cricket in Shropshire.
“Even before my cancer was diagnosed, I have experienced and been privileged to experience the enthusiasm and support the game in Shropshire rightly deserves.
“When I was diagnosed with cancer the overwhelming warmth and encouragement from all areas of the Shropshire Cricket Community wherever I went was to continue in the game I love”, added John.
