Monday 16 September 2013

A Remarkable Human

This morning former England rugby captain, Will Carling, introduced us to an incredible and heart-warming story about a young teacher from Lancashire. Jimmy Higham, an avid Rugby player, was coached by the same person as Will and went on to become a P.E. teacher. Shortly after his 25th birthday, in November 2010, he was tragically diagnosed with cancer. Despite suffering from this terminal illness, he continued to teach in his 'dream job' at Wellington College and made an amazing impact on the students and staff . Jimmy unfortunately lost his battle with cancer only 9 months after his diagnosis, at the young age of 26. But from darkness came a ray of light in the form of a recording.

Jimmy's friends and family always remarked on his great singing voice but he never pursued a musical career or entered TV talent shows as others encouraged. After his death, a university friend discovered an email Jimmy had sent him before he was diagnosed with cancer, which included a recording of him singing Stevie Wonder's, 'Isn't She Lovely'. Jimmy's friend went on to release the track and made it available for download. The proceeds from the single will go to the Jimmy Higham Bursary Fund, which Wellington College set up in his honour. The bursary will allow 16 year olds to spend their last two years at the college with its excellent facilities - giving them a life changing opportunity.

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