THE TIMES is asking readers to join its campaign to send a schoolboy cricket star, who overcame blindness to reach his potential, on a well deserved holiday.

Four years ago, a young boy was doing his paper round in Chiswick, when, as he cycled around a parked car blocking the pavement, he was hit by a van with devastating results.

Jack Kirkby, who was 13 at the time, was left blinded, with both legs and his collar bone broken, his top jaw and many other bones in his face shattered, as well as other injuries.

He was initially in hospital for over a month and admits he is lucky to be alive today. Four years and many operations later, this remarkable boy has been selected to go on a Journey of a Lifetime' to New Zealand and is trying to raise the £600 necessary for his contribution to the trip.

Jack's father, Paul explained: "I think he deserves this after everything he's been through and all he's done since the accident. I am really proud of him and the work is still on going with his eyes and teeth and he has had operations recently on his nose to build a bridge."

But even despite all the ongoing treatment, Jack has managed to get back to school, Linden Lodge in Wimbledon, trial for the England cricket team and play cricket at Lords, as well as representing the school at a national swimming competition and taking part last week in rowing during the Head of the River.

Jack explained: "Once it happened, you realise how much you take for granted. My confidence was really low at first but as the years go on it goes up until I finally now feel I'm back to the old Jack and this'll help build my confidence completely."

Jack will join a group of 24 children on the trip to New Zealand after 172 applied. They will travel after taking their GCSE's and take part in lots of different sporting activities from tobogganing to shooting the rapids and boat trips to get close to dolphins and whales.

Roger Legate, Jack's head teacher at Linden Lodge, told the Times: "172 youngsters initially applied for the journey and each one of their particular circumstances deserved serious consideration. When Jack applied he did go in realising he was privileged, as all the applications were deserving."

He continued: "When Jack was selected for interview, he considered it very carefully and thought hard about what he was going to say. Some questions he asked himself were very difficult, including how he had overcome his accident, learnt to deal with his disability and was brave enough to consider the implications that that has had for him.

"He has made a marvellous recovery and is a credit to himself and his family. On his return from interview he made it clear that should he be successful he wanted to raise more than his own £600 to help fund others who might find it more difficult."

Mr Legate concluded: "We are immensely proud of Jack and think he will benefit enormously from this experience, as have other youngsters who've been on a Journey of a Lifetime."

Jack needs to raise the £600, (his share of the total cost of £4,500 per child), in the next month and will be washing cars at his school amongst other activities to raise the money. Donations to help Jack (pictured left) should be sent to Linden Lodge School, 61 Princes Way, Wimbledon Park London SW19 6JB. Cheques should be payable to Linden Lodge School but clearly marked for the Jack Kirkby, Journey of a Lifetime fund. For more information call 020 8788 0107.