JOHN Hoskison visited King’s Ely last week as part of our programme of Emotional Wellbeing talks.
John, who spoke to our Year 9 students, was a highly respected and successful tournament professional golfer when he accepted a drink after a golf match and, on the short car journey home, hit and killed a cyclist.
The talk he delivered revolves around the devastating consequences that making the wrong choice can have, and taking an unnecessary risk. Destined for a prison sentence, John started writing a book detailing his journey through the prison system from the moment the victim’s widow asked for leniency to be shown at his trial, until his release back into society nearly three years later.
The book was acknowledged by Sir David Ramsbotham (HM Chief Inspector of Prisons at the time), as the most accurate portrayal of the bullying and chronic drug taking that goes on within the prison service. John’s ability to survive was not only due to the forgiveness shown to him by the victim’s widow, but also through the lessons he had learned about life from playing competitive sport; the importance of preparation, hard work and determination.
When John eventually emerged back into society, he was welcomed back by the PGA and is now a member of the PGA European Seniors Tour, where he regularly competes with some of the world’s top professionals. He is also the top Sports Feature Writer for the International magazine Suite101.
To say his talk was inspiring would be an understatement – thank you for coming John!