Batley walk to Wembley to charity

Batley are marking the 120th anniversary of the first Challenge Cup final, which they won back in 1897, with a charity walk.

Five rugby league supporters will walk from Headingley to Wembley to raise money for the Rugby League Benevolent Fund and breast cancer charities, and will be joined by a further 120 Batley supporters doing a 10k walk from London Broncos ground to the national stadium.

Batley won the first ever Challenge Cup final with a 10-3 victory over St Helens at Headingley.

Batley chairman, Kevin Nicholas, said: “We thought that this was an appropriate year to celebrate the Challenge Cup and as Batley Bulldogs were involved in the first occasion at Headingley, this is an appropriate way to raise money for charity.

“The Rugby League Benevolent Fund through Steven Ball do tremendous work, only recently helping two bereaved families whose sons tragically died in the rugby league environment.

“Also we must not forget the players who have suffered tragic injuries and continue to need the help of the rugby league family.

“In addition, breast cancer is a life-threatening illness which has come to affect many families as we all know ladies suffering from breast cancer and we need to help find a cure and improve treatment generally.

“These are therefore two very worthwhile causes which are dear to our hearts and that of the rugby league community. I am sure we will all suffer blisters on route but if we can significant monies, it will be worthwhile.”

Nicholas and his daughter Alexandra, along with Imogen Kyle, Steve Wright and Mark Wells will leave the home of Leeds Rhinos on Thursday August 17.

They will also walk on the Friday before attending the Batley Bulldogs Pink Weekend celebrations to raise money for breast cancer, culminating in the Batley v Oldham game.

The walk will then resume on Monday and continue throughout the week, ending at the London Skolars game on Friday August 25.

Then on cup final day, 130 in total will walk to Wembley in pink shirts. Anybody who sees them at the match will be able to donate in buckets.

To donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/headingley-wembley-rfl-pink-walk or you can text wemb97£10 or wemb97£5 to 70070.