Our Charity Partners Rugby League Cares have raised over £36,000 to fund their ongoing work to support current and former players in their wellbeing and lives both on and off the pitch. We’re extremely proud to have sponsored them on this fantastic fundraising feat!
In early June, a group of 18 individuals, including high profile former Rugby League Internationals and others seeking the challenge and experience of a lifetime, took on the UK Red Empire State 500.
The Route
The UK Red Empire State 500 is an epic 520-mile bike ride from Niagara Falls to Central Park, New York.
The challenge lasted 6 days. From the famous Niagara Falls, they followed the historic Erie Canal to the state capital of New York, Albany, before heading south along the Hudson River on sections of the Appalachian Trail.
Along the route they passed the ancestral homelands of the native American Iroquois, Sioux and Algonquin tribes, through Amish communities, seeing small town America like never before.
The adventure concluded with a ride through the Bronx, Harlem and along Broadway into Manhattan to finish in the iconic Central Park.
Slater Heelis was a kit sponsor for the bike ride and followed the team through their online documenting of the bucket list adventure on social media.
The Fundraising Total
On the day the cyclists arrived at the finish line in Manhattan, they hit 100% of the fundraising target and since then, the funds have continued to come in. As it stands, they are currently at an incredible total of £36,853 – still with more time for people to donate to congratulate their efforts.
To donate to the cause, you can head to their JustGiving page here.
The entire total raised on the UK Red Empire State 500 will go a long way to helping with the player welfare that the charity is known for but now also the community projects like Offload and Ahead of the Game which can benefit everyone in the great sport of Rugby League.
Keith Senior, Community & Welfare Support Manager at Rugby League Cares, said:
“First of all, we need to pay a massive congratulation to John Ledger for all the hard work he has put into making this happen, ably assisted by Tracey Barr and Catherine Maddy. The ride was a massive challenge for me personally as the knees aren’t getting any younger, but seeing individuals like Neville Smith who was the oldest of the gang battle through his own demons shows the grit and determination of the group as a whole. Plus, everyone finished, which was a first. This was the toughest and longest ride we have ever done for RL Cares’
Our Partnership
Over the last two years RL Cares has made a positive impact on the lives of more people than ever before and the funds raised on the ride will allow them to keep making a difference where it matters most.
We are into our second year of our partnership with Rugby League Cares, providing legal support in all aspects of the personal elements and business matters of those involved in, or retired from, Rugby League. Further info can be found in our services for sports professionals area.
We are honoured to have been able to be part of this mega fundraising effort and look forward to supporting Rugby League Cares in many more events and challenged in the future!