We're building a rocket and it's going to the Moon

I hope that you have all had a productive week and have enjoyed the glorious sun, it looked great from where i was watching…in the shade!!!

It has been an unbelievable week for the JoiningJack campaign. Ever since Andy appeared on SKY SPORTS Super League Supermen, the phones have not stopped ringing. Before I tell you about the offers of help that we have had, we must reflect on how well Andy did in front of the camera. For a bloke who is petrified by the thought of public speaking, the way he conducted himself was staggering. To speak so honestly and openly about something which has ripped his life apart, took a tremendous amount of courage. I know that he had been dreading doing the interview for many weeks as he was unsure if he could hold it all together. He did hold it all together in the main and the emotion that shone through was so powerful that it would have affected every watcher. He spoke with such intelligence and understanding of what is a very complexed illness. He has done his homework over the last few months, searching the world for answers. I was very proud of him at the end as he delivered the correct messages in a manner that was real. I must also say that my great mate Brian Carney did a sensational job in holding it all together. He is deeply saddened, as we all are, with the situation that Andy and Alex and their families have found themselves in yet he held it all together and conducted an interview that was perfect. We must thank SKY SPORTS for allowing this to take place, the Rugby League community never disappoints.

As I mentioned above, the support that we have received this week has been overwhelming. For Andy and Alex to know that so many people are helping them through this, gives them the strength to fight this battle. Many people have donated money and time but the messages have been just as valuable. The events list is growing and can be seen on the website. We will be announcing some flagship events shortly that will again raise the profile of the charity.

I mentioned the Magic Weekend in the last e-mail and it really did live up to its name. I think that the Rugby Football league has found its new home for the extravaganza of Super League and hopefully the attendances will continue to grow. It is amazing how small ideas grow into huge successes. Stuart Green from BD2 came up with the brilliant idea of the JoiningJack salute. The two index fingers linking to mirror the JJ of JoiningJack. We then told a few players and then BOOM!!!! The country is asking what it means. Massive thanks must go to the players of all the teams in Super League who took the symbol and in the heat of battle had the presence of mind to show their support. Its incredible. Matt Johnson, Andy's brother, told me of great pride as he watched with his Mum and Dad and his family and Andy's family at home.

Watching the Wigan V St. Helens Rugby League games have played a part in all our lives, it is what we are brought up on and to see one of the games superstars in Sam Tomkins score an incredible solo try, in such an important game and then turn to the camera and support Jack, well you can only imagine what that must have felt like for the Johnsons.

The power of Sport and the media combining to provide a moment that the family will never forget. They will never be able to thank Sam enough for that. These young players now are so respectful. I have great relationships with them all. If I ever asked them to do anything, they won't hesitate because they trust me. I have turned into big brother with these players and I love and cherish my relationships with them. We did another interview this week for Granada reports at Andy's home and they requested a player to come with me. I simply asked Josh Charnley if he would mind helping me for five minutes and asked him to follow me in his car. A few minutes later he was having a microphone strapped to him and a bright light shone in his face. Not once did he complain. He answered all the questions well and even donated his 2011 Challenge Cup Final boots to the charity. At Wigan we want to produce good players but we also want to produce good people. If we can install good quality values in them whilst they play, then these will guide them through life when they have finished playing. Josh and Sam are two great examples of the people that we are trying to create, good on you boys, big bro is happy.

It was an important week at Radlinski Towers this week as my little boy Samuel moved into a new bedroom and into his big boy bed. It took a lot of convincing to get him to sleep as he saw the room as some kind of extension to his playroom rather than a place to relax. The fact that it was a Disney Cars themed bedroom did not help. In order to get him to calm down, Rads had to get in the bed also. Where did it all go wrong. One minute I was scoring tries for Wigan, signing autographs, sports cars and designing shirts, the next falling to sleep in a three foot bed and tripping over Lightning Mcqueen…….Only kidding, I wouldn't change it for the world.

This weeks video is a motivational one. If you want to be the best, this is what it takes……. How bad do you want it? http://goo.gl/vyz7d