They are preparing for one of the biggest games of their lives – but that hasn’t stopped two Leeds Rhinos stars lending a helping hand to a little boy from their home town.
Carl Ablett and Stevie Ward have thrown their considerable bulks behind Joseph’s Goal, a new campaign set up in honour of three-year-old Joseph Kendrick, from Morley.
The toddler suffers from a rare genetic disorder called Non-Ketotic Hyperglycinemia (NKH) and his parents, Paul and Emma, set up Joseph’s Goal in a bid to raise funds and awareness of the condition.
The campaign only launched on Monday and they’ve already received a cheque from Channel 4 presenter Alex Brooker, who starred on The Million Pound Drop and donated some of his winnings to the cause.
Now, Carl and Stevie – who both come from Morley and are expected to play in tonight’s Super League Grand Final against Warrington Wolves – have voiced their support.
Carl, 26, said: “We are pleased to help Joseph and his family with the launch of their new campaign. If we can help raise awareness for Joseph’s Goal in any way, that’s great.
“Most of the team are young fathers themselves and you know that you would do anything you could to help your child if you found yourself in the same position.
“Good luck to Paul and the family and I am sure the whole of Leeds will get behind them.”
Every penny raised through Joseph’s Goal will support the research being conducted by Dr Johan Van Hove at the University of Colorado – the only man on the planet actively seeking a cure for NKH.
Paul, 35, is now planning several fundraising events, including a cycle ride from his office in Wigan to London and a raffle with prizes including a signed Leeds Rhinos shirt.
He said: “The support we’ve had so far has been staggering.
“People who don’t even know us have written cheques and made donations. The response has been amazing.”
For more information about Joseph’s Goal, visit: www.josephsgoal.org or follow @josephsgoal on Twitter.
To donate, visit: www.everyclick.com/josephsgoal
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