Leukaemia is the most common cancer in children under 15. Over 650 children and young adults are diagnosed with leukaemia every year in the UK.

In 1976, a group of parents and medical staff recognised a need for families with children facing childhood cancer to receive extra support. These parents and medical staff teamed together to create our chosen charity, Candlelighters.

Candlelighters is a charity which today, brings light to families by providing emotional, practical and financial support, and more importantly, hope, by investing in vital research to improve the outcomes and lives of children with cancer.

The reason for our chosen charity is to support our close friend, team mate and captain of 10 years, Rob, his wife, Charlotte and their children, in particular Harriet. After Harriet being diagnosed with leukaemia earlier this year, at the age of 2, we felt it was only right we made the most of our already planned gravel cycle, from Driffield to Edinburgh.

A group of current and ex Driffield rugby players, who have all shared the pitch with Rob, will cycle near 400km from Driffield to Edinburgh over the course of 3 days.

Sam Havler, John Dervey, Oliver Cooper, Warren Keyes, Chris Downham, Oliver Borman, Rob Hamilton and Sam Parker are the squad assembled for the ride.

A tough challenge for anyone, but even more so for some rather questionably built cyclists.

The aim to raise funds for Rob, Charlotte and family will only motivate us further, in their time of need, and I’m sure that we will all get the job done, knowing that we are providing for this fantastic charity.

Please, if you can, dig deep for this cause. Leukaemia is devastating in any case, but no family should have to see their child suffer from this horrid cancer. We want to make a difference and we need your help.

On 14th June, we will be having a charity rugby match to boost our fundraising. Driffield School XV vs Rest of World, kick off 6:30pm at Driffield Rugby Club.

Lots of love from the Driffield lads xx