The RFL Benevolent Fund

July

2009

Welcome the The RFL Benevolent Fund

The Rugby Football League Benevolent Fund welcomes genuine supporters of the game to the new, purpose built, independent website. This innovative website hopes to provide a variety of news and features dealing with all aspects of the charity from fundraising to articles about specific Rugby League injuries. We hope to give an insight into the workings of the organisation and how individuals might help.

The Fund's Purpose

“For the relief of people (and their dependants) who play, assist or who have played or assisted in the game of Rugby League in the UK or for a team affiliated to an association primarily based in the UK and who are in hardship or distress as a result of a serious injury, resulting in life changing circumstances caused, through playing or training for the game of Rugby Football League or when travelling to or from a game or training session."

Ambassadors

The RFL Benevolent Fund is seeking to broaden its base and activities across all Rugby League areas. We need activists to work on our behalf at a variety of different levels, from fundraising to visiting injured players.

At this early stage we are formulating some ideas and would welcome your potential involvement. If you are interested, please contact us at info@rflbenevolentfund.co.uk.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Participation Events

Several clubs and individuals have already joined the RFL Benevolent Funds activities by organising events covering a wide and varied spectrum of challenges and initiatives. Individual friends and supporters have all assisted in its growth. From £1 on every Cup Final ticket, to collective fund raising events, the RFL Benevolent Fund is dependant on you. Some have included their own clubs fundraising along with the Benevolent Funds, and divided the profits gained 50/50.

Community Beneficiaries

The RFL Benevolent Fund community is regarded as being strong , social and supportive. There is a commitment to give, if required, lifelong support to the long term seriously injured players. Support varies from specific grant support to social coming togethers.

Click here to find out more about the individuals who make up the Benevolent Fund Community.

Support and Guidance

In the event of a serious injury.

How You Can Help

The RFL Benevolent Fund has many areas in which you can assist. They vary from Benevolent Fund Ambassadors to simply sponsoring or supporting a fundraising event. We hope to highlight various events and profile their success. Indeed, the website hopes to host and inform a variety of events that supporters may wish to support by either financial or participatory means.

BBC 5Live star to raise money for RFL Benevolent Fund

BBC Radio 5Live's George Riley has signed up to take part in this year's Great North Run to raise money for the RFL Benevolent Fund. Rugby League nut Riley, who presents the sport bulletins on the weekend breakfast show as well as other shows, will be part of a large 5Live team who will each be running on 20 September to raise money for different charities.
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Jimmy Gittens and Pete Stephenson Join The Carnegie Cup Challenge

Jimmy Gittens and Pete Stephenson have joined the star studded team in trying to complete the Carnegie Cup Challenge. The team will embark on a seven hundred mile trek across France by bike, before crossing the Channel in a Dragon Boat and running a half marathon to deliver the match ball to Wembley in time for the Carnegie Challenge Cup Final in August.
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Luke Bryan

Luke Bryan has embarked upon his new UKCC leve 1 certifiate in Rugby League Coaching. With support from the RFL and the English Federation for Disability Sport the course was broken down over four days. Luke was provided with audio tapes and electronic resources so he could complete the written elements on his computer. Craig Richards, one of Rugby Leagues team of club and coaching development officers is monitoring Luke through his qualification.

So far Luke has completed one practical session and his written work. He hopes to fully qualify by the end of the year.

RFL Benevolent Fund Assists

John Burke, the former Wigan and Workington rugby league player, who was seriously injured in 1978, has had his kitchen adapted. John lives in his 1970s bungalow in Leigh and has with the aid of the RFL Benevolent Fund completely adapted his kitchen to allow him to have greater access and usage of his facilities.

With access to accomodate his wheelchair John can now cook and clean up unassisted.

Route 61 Walk Rescheduled

Following the re-arrangement of the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats match against Leeds Rhinos at Belleview the proposed charity walk has been re-scheduled. The original walk was due to take place on Sunday July 12th and has now been re-scheduled to Friday July 10th to correspond with the Super League Fixture. Co-organisor Danny Frank said 'we were originally very disappointed in having to change the date of the walk, but we have been encouraged by the participants reaction in wanting the sponsored walk to go ahead. Although our numbers won't be as many as previously hoped, we are extremely confident for the success of this sponsored event'.

Georgie Fame Concert Raises £3,000!

The concert featuring 60's pop and jazz legend Georgie Fame raised £3,000 for the Rugby League Benevolent Fund. The concert attended by 300 fans was held in Georgie's old stomping ground of Leigh Miners Welfare Club.

'It has been a great night for a great cause' said co-organisor Alf Davis former CEO of Leeds Rugby League.