Francis Stephenson, the General Manager of the Rugby League Benevolent Fund, has saluted the six Heavy Woollen heroes who conquered Yorkshire’s World Coal Carrying Championships on Easter Monday to raise thousands of pounds for seriously-injured players and their families.
Five current players from the Dewsbury Celtic, Dewsbury Moor and Shaw Cross Sharks community clubs - Joe Mitchell, Luke Adamson, Harry Hartley, Adam Moor and Joel Russell - joined the Batley Bulldogs CEO Paul Harrison in tackling the notorious physical challenge of a 1,000-metres plus run while carrying 50kg of coal, which has become an unusual Yorkshire tradition since it was introduced in 1964.
Francis Stephenson said:
“On behalf of the Benevolent Fund, our congratulations to all the runners who completed the Coal Race on behalf of the charity – and huge thanks both to them and to everyone who has supported them.
“We’ve already gone well beyond the initial £5,000 target we aimed to raise from the event – and as with all other additions to the Fund, that will go a long way in the ongoing need to support seriously-injured players and their families.
“Following the success of the RFL President’s Ball last month, it has been a superb spring for the Benevolent Fund as we have seen the sport coming together in various ways to show their support for people who really need it.
“It’s been a pleasure working with all the athletes as they prepared for the challenge, showing inspiring determination and dedication – and all in recognition of the support the Benevolent Fund has provided following serious injuries to David Roebuck of Dewsbury Celtic and Ryan Glynn of Shaw Cross Sharks, and the tragic loss of the former Dewsbury Moor player Archie Bruce after his professional debut for Batley Bulldogs.”
Stephenson also highlighted the role played behind the scenes by Danny Thomas, the former Jamaica international who worked with the Benevolent Fund runners – and will continue his support of the charity next month when he takes on the 2026 Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon.
“Danny has been fantastic for us all year. He sacrificed a lot of his own time to organise training for the Coal Race, and now he’s in training himself for the Rob Burrow Marathon on May 10.
“It’s an event which is special for Rugby League people for obvious reasons, and it’s great that Danny will be representing the Benevolent Fund. And after the brilliant efforts of Paul Harrison in the Coal Race, we’ll have another Batley legend involved at the Marathon because Danny Maun is running in the Leeds Half Marathon that takes place on the same day.”
To support either or both of the two Dannys, click here Team fundraising for RFL Benevolent Fund is fundraising for RFL Benevolent Fund
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