HITZ Hugh Is in A League of His Own

Enriching educational programmes is often down to the leaders placed to head up and provide the content supplied, and at HITZ we strive to make that practice as enjoyable and supportive as possible.

This academic year, Hitz has been lucky enough to have one individual who is showing the very best example of leadership, resilience and humility. Who not only lives and breathes his love of rugby but has his own sporting achievements to be proud of too. Though he’ll play down those massive events because modesty is also a trait we have spotted.

In April 2023, Hitz student Hugh Allum Pearce completed the London Marathon in 5hrs 32mins, raising £5,000 for the National Charity for Deaf Children and in January of this year he took part in the Hong Kong marathon completing that in 5hrs 14mins!

Since birth Hugh has been profoundly deaf and also lives with Hemiplegia but this hasn’t stopped him joining the mixed ability rugby team at Exeter Saracens! His cochlear implant, sharing his BSL skills and his open nature allows him to integrate confidently into the setting and he’s smashing it!

As a season tickets holder at Exeter Chiefs, Hugh rarely misses a men’s or women’s home game, so when asked which players he’d most like to meet, he didn’t hesitate in saying Jack Yeande!

So, when Exeter Chiefs played Newcastle Falcons at home on the 23rd March we were delighted to make that dream come true. Hugh got to meet Jack after the game, drinking in all he’d witnessed on the field and the excitement of the dugout post-match!