04.04.04

On the 4th April 2004, Matt King's life changed forever.Making his first tackle as a 17-year-old professional rugby player for London Broncos Academy, his neck snapped.A happy-go-lucky teenager with the world seemingly at his feet; his life, as well as his spinal cord, appeared broken.But, showing the same spirit, resilience, wit and courage that characterised him before the accident, Matt overcame the severe trauma and rebuilt his life; gaining a degree, a high profile job in the legal profession, became a successful mouth-painter, participated in marathons and carried the Olympic torch in 2012.Awarded the OBE for his charitable work, which also includes giving motivational speeches to some of the country's leading organizations, his is a story of the ultimate triumph of human spirit.Two years in the writing, his unflinching account tells of his upbringing in Bedfordshire, his nine month stay in three hospitals and the arduous road to rehabilitation.As he says, "My life changed in that split second on the pitch and my goals and aspirations altered along with it, but it didn't change the person I am or the fact that I want to make the most of this life." This is one of the most inspirational, remarkable and affirming accounts you will ever read.All profits will go to the Rugby League Benevolent Fund, which Matt's experiences helped to found.- Foreword by Sir Alex Ferguson, afterword by Richard Lewis