Hunter Woodhall has had a long struggle trying to make his name in track and field. Apart from his physical struggles, the lack of finances in the track had landed him in a spot of bother time and again. Despite most sports garnering significant profitability, track and field falls significantly behind. Ahead of the Paris Olympics, the sport’s sorry state became evident as many athletes complained about not being able to sustain their careers. Thus, with the overall scenario painting a grim picture, Hunter Woodhall, along with Tara Davis-Woodhall, decided to take matters into his own hands. 

Long jumper Tara Davis-Woodhall was a former student of the Agoura High. Having gained incredible popularity with her historic Olympic gold medal win, her alma mater decided to honor her with the Tara Davis Invitational. Students from over 30 schools participate in the gala event held annually. The Woodhalls took this opportunity to give back to the track and field fraternity.

In a recent video uploaded on the Tara and Hunter YouTube channel, the duo could be seen speaking about their fundraiser. With all the sales accumulated, the power couple of track and field aims to use it for bettering the sport. However, even after getting all the finances from ticket sales, the Paralympic gold medalist could be seen urging fans to donate more. “Thank you guys like these guys put the money in here,” said Hunter. Speaking of the tickets, the general admission tickets were priced at $11, while the ones for children and aged adults were available at $6. Not just financially, Hunter Woodhall also had other ideas to support track and field. 

The Georgia native also asked fans to come and watch the races live in large numbers. This would help in generating more revenue and also boost the visibility of the sport, which is much needed at the moment. Surely, such a gesture comes in at a very crucial juncture.

With events like ATHLOS NYC and Grand Slam Track taking the headlines, Hunter Woodhall’s push will be a much needed one. Meanwhile, this is not the only charity that the track and field couple got their hands into. They are currently trying to give back to the hospital that changed the Paralympic champion’s life completely.

Hunter Woodhall gives back to the institution that changed his life

The Woodhall couple are supporting the institution that helped Hunter become a world-class athlete. They have already raised $2,178 toward their $5,000 goal to support Shriners Hospitals for Children, where the track sensation received life-changing care after being born with fibular hemimelia.

Hunter’s connection with Shriners Children’s runs deep. Diagnosed with fibular hemimelia (a condition that causes missing bones in the lower leg), the Georgia-native’s parents turned to Shriners after exploring treatment options across the country. Doctors at Shriners recommended amputation of his legs to improve mobility, a decision that would ultimately shape his athletic career.

The hospital not only fitted him with prosthetics but also supported his athletic ambitions from a young age. “Any time I went to them asking for a new prosthetic for whatever sport I was playing, they built one for me,” Hunter said. “I went to them and told them I was running 5Ks. They said, ‘We’ve never made a running blade, but let’s try it out.’” It’s the kind of support every kid deserves in the pursuit of their dreams! Years later, the sprinter continues to be thankful for the intervention of the hospital.

Besides being a Paralympic gold medalist, he is a social media sensation with millions of followers across TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. And the champion remains vocal about Shriners’ impact on his life. His fundraising efforts aim to give back to the hospital that took a chance on him long before the world knew his name. “They weren’t doing this for the Hunter Woodhall people know today,” he said. “They were doing it to help a kid try a sport that may not have amounted to anything.” The hospital recognized Hunter Woodhall’s potential early on and did everything to help him on his path to greatness. 

Through this fundraiser, Hunter hopes to ensure other young athletes receive the same support and belief that fueled his rise to Paralympic stardom.