Rocky Whitehead funeral details confirmed as appeal for St James' Hospital smashes target

The funeral of one of community rugby league's most loved and respected figures, Oulton Raiders stalwart Stephen 'Rocky' Whitehead, will take place next month.

A legend on the local rugby league scene, Whitehead died in St James' Hospital, Leeds, last Sunday, with Covid-19.

Rocky Whitehead, pictured in 2012. Picture by James Hardisty.placeholder image
Rocky Whitehead, pictured in 2012. Picture by James Hardisty.

He had suffered a heart attack at the start of December.

Whitehead. 73, was a dedicated Wakefield Trinity fan and responsible for introducing hundreds of youngsters to rugby league through his voluntary work with Oulton's junior sides.

His funeral will take place at Cottingley Hall Crematorium on Friday, January 15, at 11.30am.

Coronavirus restrictions allow only a small, family service, but the funeral procession will leave Wordsworth Court, Oulton, at 10.40am, Oulton Raiders' car park at 10.50am and then travel to the crematorium through Rothwell via Park West, Meynell Avenue, Churchfield Lane, past Haigh Road School and up Wood Lane.

Whitehead's family have asked for donations to be made to the respiratory care unit at St James' Hospital, via a JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rocky-whitehead.

As of this morning (Thursday), £2,690 had been pledged, smashing the initial target of £2,000.

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