Faye Bush has dedicated her run to the Brain Health Fund which was launched by RL Cares in 2023 and has led to a groundbreaking partnership with Dementia UK which was recently extended.
Faye is the daughter of Mick Scott, who will be especially fondly remembered by supporters of Halifax as a member of the Hall of Fame for his hometown club, with his 300-plus appearances in blue and white including 32 in their famous Championship-winning season of 1985-6 under the coaching of Chris Anderson, and an unsung role in the 1987 Wembley triumph over St Helens to clinch the Challenge Cup.
Mick also made more than 100 appearances in the cherry and white of Wigan from 1981-85, a key period in the club’s history as they rebuilt from the ignominy of relegation, and he was a member of the team who beat Leeds to win the John Player Trophy at Elland Road in 1983 under Alex Murphy.
On her Just Giving page Faye Bush is fundraising for RFL Benevolent Fund, Faye writes:
“Rugby League has always been at the heart of our family. My dad, Mick Scott, began his rugby journey at Siddal before going on to enjoy a proud professional career representing Halifax and Wigan, playing more than 300 games for Halifax and giving everything to the sport he loves.
“Like so many players of his generation, he played with courage, toughness, and unwavering commitment, never imagining the long-term impact the game might one day have on his health. Today, he can still be found on the sideline, continuing to support the game that has always meant so much to him
“In November 2024, our lives changed when my dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. It was a devastating diagnosis, not just for him, but for our whole family. Suddenly we were faced with fear, uncertainty, and countless questions about what the future would look like and how we could best support him.
“We were recommended to seek support from the Rugby League Cares Brain Health Clinic, and it has been a lifeline for our family. The clinic held by Joe [Costello] helped us understand my dad’s diagnosis in a way that felt compassionate, clear and human. Joe provided expert advice, guidance and reassurance at a time when we felt completely overwhelmed. It helped us understand what we were facing and how to prepare for the journey ahead, something we simply couldn’t have done alone.
“The Brain Health Clinics, where professional players and their partners or carers can access the expertise of a Dementia UK Admiral Nurse, are an incredible source of support.
“Crucially, the Brain Health Fund is entirely funded by donations and fundraising events. As an independent charity, Rugby League Cares relies on the generosity of supporters to continue this life changing work.
“I’m raising funds in the hope that other families will receive the same support, understanding and compassion that we did. No family should have to face this journey alone and thanks to the Brain Health Fund, they don’t have to.
“Thank you for supporting this cause, for supporting Rugby League families, and for helping protect the people who gave so much to the game.”
Adrian Morley met up with Faye in Halifax recently and was impressed by her training levels.
Susie Gibson will be running on behalf of the Rugby League Benevolent Fund which has been supporting seriously-injured players and their families since it was launched in 2005.
This is because she has grown to love Rugby League, those who play it and all the others involved through observing her father, Mick Turner, and the immense contribution he has made to the sport.
Mick has been one of the most familiar faces in the community game for decades, an institution of the Shaw Cross Sharks club who has also coached and managed BARLA representative teams.
On her Just Giving page Susie Gibson is fundraising for RFL Benevolent Fund, Susie writes:
“Taking on 26.2 miles is a daunting prospect, but every time my legs feel heavy during training, I remind myself of the powerful legacy that now drives me forward. This year, I have committed to running the marathon to raise vital funds for the Rugby League Benevolent Fund. This incredible organisation provides a lifeline to players who have suffered life-altering, catastrophic injuries while playing the sport that has recently come to define so much of my own story.
“While the physical toll of a marathon is significant, it is nothing compared to the daily challenges faced by the individuals this charity supports. When a player suffers a spinal cord injury or a permanent disability on the field, their entire world changes in an instant. The Benevolent Fund ensures they are never forgotten, providing everything from specialist equipment and home adaptations to long-term emotional and financial support.
“While my personal journey with Rugby League has only recently begun, it has quickly become a cornerstone of my identity as I uncover the deep-rooted connections I never knew I had. I am discovering that my heritage is inextricably linked to this game, and tracing these newly found roots has given me a renewed sense of purpose and a profound pride in my background.
“I am walking a path that was paved long ago by my dad, Mick Turner. As a true stalwart of the game, Mick has dedicated his life to the sport, demonstrating the incredible grit and dedication that Rugby League demands. Seeing the game’s impact through his lifelong involvement has helped me piece together my own history. My sense of belonging is now firmly planted in the Shaw Cross Sharks community club, a place that represents the very heartbeat of grassroots rugby and the foundation of the heritage I am so proud to embrace.
“In Rugby League, they often talk about the ‘RL family’. They look after their own, and they stand tall when one of their community is in need. By supporting my marathon run, you are not just helping me reach the finish line; you are directly contributing to the well-being of players who have given everything to the game but now face their toughest battles off the pitch.”
Rugby League Cares salutes Susie, Faye and all the other Marathon runners this weekend – including Ben Oxley, the grandson of the much-loved former RFL administrator David, who will be running on behalf of Dementia UK Dementia UK: Ben Oxley’s Fundraising Page
And closer to home, it’s the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon and Half Marathon on Sunday May 10 – with the former Batley team-mates Danny Maun and Danny Thomas running on behalf of the Benevolent Fund. We’ll be focusing on their preparations next week, once the dust has settled on the London Marathon – but you can already support them here Team fundraising for RFL Benevolent Fund is fundraising for RFL Benevolent Fund
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