Bulldogs embarking on a sponsored trek

Ahead of the opening game of this season’s Co-operative Championship campaign, officials from Batley Bulldogs are set to walk 50 miles between Mount Pleasant and Leigh Sports Village on March 7/8.

The Bulldogs travel to take on Leigh Centurions in the season’s opening game, which will be shown live on Premier Sports on Thursday March 8 (7.30pm) and they’re hoping to complete the journey in under 24 hours to help raise funds for a new “Ground Development Fund.”

“We need to carry out electrical works at the club, construct a new toilet facility and a gang way and we also hope to replace our scoreboard with an electronic version,” said Batley Chief Executive Paul Harrison.

“The Directors want to complete this work as soon as finances allow and this fundraiser is the start of the process. We also hope that the RFL Facilities Trust can assist in these vital improvements to our stadium, as these are exciting times at our club. We have already financed stadium improvements in the close season and our work continues.” 

Batley Chairman Kevin Nicholas said: “This is a fitting game in the history of our sport to partake in this walk and a great way to mark the occasion, hopefully this will be the start of a fruitful partnership between the Championships and Premier Sports”.

For every £2 donated, the contributing sponsor guesses a finishing time for the walk and the nearest the correct time wins a prize of £200.00.

Mr Nicholas went on, “We have had a great response so far. Stuart and Gwenneth Merton have come forward and sponsored the prize which is fantastic, and we thank them for that and other supporters including ex Super League Player Francis Stephenson have said they would join us on the walk”.

Mr Nicholas himself is joined by club officials Paul Hull, Paul Harrison and Dan Winner in the trek and anyone wishing to sponsor them should contact the club on 01924 470062 or via paulharrison@batleybulldogs.co.uk