How fans can support Leeds Rhinos legends' charity run

Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock, Barrie McDermott, Brett Delaney and Jamie Jones-Buchanan will all be running 10 kilometres in their local area.

Supporters have been asked to join the former Rhinos by choosing their own challenge and people have pledged to walk, cycle or kayak 10k in support of Leeds Rhinos Foundation.

Fans won’t be able to run alongside the former players, but can join a Strava group for the event to record and compare times against the Rhinos Grand Final winners.

The Leeds 10k, which is a vital fundraising opportunity for good causes, has been postponed until November 22 because of the pandemic.

However, Leeds Rhinos Foundation decided to organise their own event for anyone who has been in training and wants to support the charity.

Delaney now works with Rhinos’ foundation and has been volunteering to support some of the city’s most vulnerable residents during the health crisis.

He said: “As a player I could see the impact the charity had in the community game when I attended projects such as coach education or taster sessions with young players to introduce them to rugby league, but now working with them I have seen that their work goes much further.

“From myself, whose work involves working in prisons to tackle the issues of reoffending, to other projects such as educational courses with children from disadvantaged backgrounds and health initiatives such as Try Club, the charity does so much to support people across the community and I am proud to support them in their ambition to change lives through sport.”

Bob Bowman, the foundation’s chief operating officer, said: “Run with the Rhinos is always one of our favourite events of the year and a hugely important fundraising opportunity.

“While we are disappointed not to be joining runners from across the city on July 5, we have seen over the last few weeks the creative ways we can do things on our own, but still be connected to our wider community

“We have decided to ask our supporters to still come together to join us for a 10k day, from their own homes or local area.

“We have seen so many people have used this time in lockdown to start running or other forms of exercise and this would be a great goal for them to test themselves.

“We appreciate that running might not be for everyone, so we are opening the event up to everyone and if you want to walk, row or cycle the 10k you can.

“Or if you can think of other ways to join in using the number 10 as a target, that would be great too - the more creative ideas, the better.

"We want this to be an all inclusive event, bringing together former players, trustees, supporters and staff.”

Bowman added: “This is a challenging time for everyone and in particular charities who have had to cancel many of their fundraising events.

“The event on July 5 and the Leeds 10k in November will be hugely important for us in raising money so we are able to continue our work to support people in the city.

“Many of us have been living in relative isolation for the last few months, so we hope this will be a way of bringing our wonderful supporters together, albeit it at a distance and doing a challenge together that will be a vital lifeline for our charity.”

Anyone wanting to take part should set themselves a challenge and donate £10 to Leeds Rhinos Foundation via uk.virginmoneygiving.com/

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