One of my childhood hero’s Eddie Kidd, should have been walking by now but without the funds for regular treatment, the stunt rider has been pretty much put out to pasture.
Eddie started setting jump records at an early age leading to world fame and the name ‘The Black Knight’. He went on to perform stunts in several films and TV programmes as well as being stunt double for the likes of Pierce Brosnan in the James Bond movie ‘GoldenEye’, Roger Moore and Michael Caine, to name a few.
On August 11th 1996, Eddie attended the Bulldog Bash at Long Marston Airfield near Stratford-Upon-Avon, where he was to perform a jump for his hundreds of fans. However, on this occasion the landing went badly and Eddie suffered serious head and pelvic injuries.
After slipping into a coma, doctors warned his family and friends that he could be in a coma for years, but after just six-weeks this amazing man regained consciousness and although confined to a wheelchair since the accident, he continues to battle his disability and is determined to get back to perform jumps.
Nick Sherard, along with Eddie and Ray Winstone, have been filming a documentary on the stunt-man’s life, with the aim to provide revenue for regular treatment and a stable future for Eddie, who is only allowed to earn a certain amount of money, overseen by the authorities.
The documentary is half-way through filming but additional funds are needed and although production companies have shown an interest in buying the completed programme they will not invest in it.
There is a lottery film fund but they feel that the documentary is not cinematic or British enough, come-on, the man is a hero and it is a documentary that thousands of fans around the world can’t wait to see.
Eddie desperately needs physiotherapy to maintain his way of life, keep his dignity and his independence. He also need speech therapy which until now he has been denied as the accident was twelve-years ago as well as a new wheelchair.
Money needs to be raised to help Eddie not only live his life but so he can begin once again to provide for his children.
Here is a trailer of the documentary, please help in which ever way you can;
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/video/video.php?v=42313900212&ref=nf
7 comments so far
1 mick richardson // Feb 15, 2009 at 8:38 pm
i would love to see that doc get made
2 mick richardson // Feb 15, 2009 at 8:41 pm
there is only 1″ one of a kind” at everything
3 Nessie Mcneice // Feb 17, 2009 at 10:19 am
Eddie is a fantastic person on the bike and off.
Growing up he had all the charm thats made him what he is today and a fighter.
He needs all the support he can get and he deserves it.
What is wrong when we can’t support our own.
4 peter dance // Jul 5, 2009 at 9:53 pm
just meet eddie for 2nd time at brighton got dvd which is great 1st met eddie at millwall f c who was great with the kids dont have any money to help but iam here to do any fun rasing things like a push bike from london 2 brighton u name it ill have a go thanks eddie
5 lawrence howarth // Sep 3, 2009 at 11:21 pm
hi there i my self are 48 yrs and was and still a big fan of eddie kidd i went to 1 a 2 shows of his back in the day and shuck his hand at them and he singhed my bike and helmet i still have a small collection of eddies programs etc i even as a teenager went to a place called southend and around there hopeing to meet the guy i was at the bull dog bash the year before and did not go to the one eddie had is fall this is a big shame for him and all is familey for him to end up like this because i no he was a big part in a lot of peoples lives and not forgotten . i have a mate also who is in a wheel chair now and i no of a lot of complycations what he as after over come.i my self think it takes a very special person to cope with life in this way .so you stay strong and hold your head up high just like you did as a stunt rider and a entertainer i hope you all the best lawrence howarth east yorks
6 Paul // Apr 7, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Put the video on youtube, so we don’t have to join Faecesbook to see it, please!
I’m a fan of Eddie’s and would like to help if I can.
7 mairi // May 20, 2010 at 2:01 pm
hey paul – the facebook page gives you a link to the website http://www.whitemencanjump.co.uk , and that’s where the trailer is. it looks like they could use all the help they can get