Gittins leads extraordinary gents to success in honour of Steve Prescott

James Gordon

The adventure launched by former rugby league player Jimmy Gittins and his team of ‘extraordinary gents’ has reached a successful conclusion.

State of Mind Sport and Steve Prescott Foundation ambassador Jimmy Gittins put together the eight-man team to honour the legacy of his friend and mentor Steve Prescott.

Gittins broke his neck in two places while playing rugby league and was told that he would never walk again. He proved the doctors wrong, and continues to participate in challenges on a regular basis.

This time the challenge recreated the famous ‘Walk Against Cancer’ that Steve Prescott inspired.

The difference was that this time the team hand cycled 200 miles to the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford, camping at amateur rugby league clubs along the way.

The challenge started from The Altisidora Pub in Beverley, East Yorkshire,  on October 5, and the team arrived safely at Old Trafford in time for the Grand Final on October 10.

Linzi Prescott, Steve’s widow, congratulated the ‘Extraordinary Gents’ on their successful efforts.

“I would like to thank everyone involved  for their fantastic support,” she said.

“And congratulate the gents for completing such a gruelling challenge. It’s so important that Stephen’s legacy continues.”

THE EXTRAORDINARY GENTS:

State of Mind Sport’s Ryan Glynn, Peter Stephenson, and Mike Burnett who have all sustained serious injuries playing Rugby League;  RL legend, Danny Sculthorpe; RL Photographer, Andy Davies, Mick Bradshaw of Sporting Image; Dr Phil ‘The Captain’ Cooper, co founder of State of Mind;  State of Mind Sport and SPF Ambassador Andy Reid who lost three of his limbs in Afghanistan; MOCHA TV Film Company Director Owen Cotterell; and John Moore’s University student mental health nurse, Will Stringer.

Donations can be made to ‘The Journey of League’s Extraordinary Gents’ at
 justgiving.com/TheJourney2015