'row for rugby league'
Stars of rugby league are
preparing for a marathon challenge as they bid to raise money for Try Assist,
the Rugby League Benevolent Fund.
Fans of rugby league are also
being urged to take part in the event, with the opportunity to compete directly
against their sporting heroes in a test of strength and endurance in a bid to
raise cash to help amateur and professional players who have suffered
life-changing injuries.
Former Great Britain
internationals Paul Sculthorpe and Kris Radlinski, the ’s Dave
Woods, along with a Sky Sports All Star team led by Terry O’Connor are amongst
competitors already signed up to the challenge.
They’ll be joined by a team of rugby league writers, a Steve Prescott managed
set of competitors as well as a team managed by Wakefield Wildcats coach John
Kear.
The Carnegie Rowing Challenge will
take place at Leeds Met’s Carnegie Research Institute at Headingley Campus in on
Thursday 15 April from until and will be filmed by the . Concept 2 have provided forty indoor rowing
machines for the duration of the challenge and competitors will be taking part
in a range of trials up to and including the full 26.2 mile marathon. Competitors are able to enter the challenge
individually or can form teams of up to five members and will aim to complete
the marathon in under four hours.
The ’s Dave
Woods explains: “We want as many people as possible to sign up, either as
individuals or in teams of up to five people to row a marathon in under four
hours. Amateur clubs, gym clubs, sets of
fans, players – everyone who can get on a rower should have a go to raise money
for Try Assists. We've seen the
fantastic efforts of some of the game’s high profile ex-players in raising
money for Try Assist. Now everyone in the rugby league family can join in
alongside them.”
“Many of the people who benefit
from Try Assist show an amazing spirit and approach to life, despite suffering
life-changing injuries. The money that’s raised helps them overcome their many
difficulties and achieve as much as possible out of life.”
legend
Paul Sculthorpe will be taking part in the challenge and is expecting the
training to be a tough prospect: “The Carnegie Rowing Challenge will be a real
test of physical strength and stamina and I’m looking forward to testing myself
against my fellow players and also fans of the game. It would be great to see
representatives from the whole rugby league family getting involved in this
unique event and I’m sure we can raise lots of money for a very worthy cause.”
Tim Adams, Chairman of Try Assist
adds: “Try Assist, the RFL Benevolent Fund Charity, was formed five years ago
in response to a commitment to give lifelong support to seriously injured Rugby
League players. Those players who have had career changing injuries are
supported by the Fund by a variety of means including help with house
refurbishments, car adaptations, educational programmes, and it also provides a
forum for social and welfare networking.
The Carnegie Rowing Challenge is an excellent opportunity for us to
raise the profile of the charity and encourage people to test themselves to
their physical and mental limits.”
Several of the competitors have
already begun their fundraising efforts and welcome sponsorship and donations,
which can be given at
www.justgiving.com/carnegierowingchallenge