Carnegie Rowing Challenge

Hi guys, I am a former Oldham Rugby League player who was seriously injured whilst playing against Dewsbury in 1995.  I sustained a badly damaged spinal cord injury in my neck which has left me wheelchair bound.  The RFL Benevolent fund have helped me in so many ways and now it is time to give them something back so I am completing a marathon Rowing Challenge set at  Carnegie.  I hope that people like yourself will get behind and support me as this is far and beyond the hardest thing I have ever done and the training is going to be intense.

 

I have added below the main article of the challenge for anyone who may be interested in taking part themselves.

Thank you very much for your time

John Power

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Stars of rugby league are preparing for a marathon challenge as they bid to raise money for Try Assist, the Rugby League Benevolent Fund.

Fans of rugby league are also being urged to take part in the event, with the opportunity to compete directly against their sporting heroes in a test of strength and endurance in a bid to raise cash to help amateur and professional players who have suffered life-changing injuries.

Former Great Britain internationals Paul Sculthorpe and Kris Radlinski, the ’s Dave Woods, along with a Sky Sports All Star team led by Terry O’Connor are amongst competitors already signed up to the challenge.  They’ll be joined by a team of rugby league writers, a Steve Prescott managed set of competitors as well as a team managed by Wakefield Wildcats coach John Kear.

The Carnegie Rowing Challenge will take place at Leeds Met’s Carnegie Research Institute at Headingley Campus in on Thursday 15 April from until and will be filmed by the .  Concept 2 have provided forty indoor rowing machines for the duration of the challenge and competitors will be taking part in a range of trials up to and including the full 26.2 mile marathon.  Competitors are able to enter the challenge individually or can form teams of up to five members and will aim to complete the marathon in under four hours.

The ’s Dave Woods explains: “We want as many people as possible to sign up, either as individuals or in teams of up to five people to row a marathon in under four hours.  Amateur clubs, gym clubs, sets of fans, players – everyone who can get on a rower should have a go to raise money for Try Assists.  We've seen the fantastic efforts of some of the game’s high profile ex-players in raising money for Try Assist. Now everyone in the rugby league family can join in alongside them.”

“Many of the people who benefit from Try Assist show an amazing spirit and approach to life, despite suffering life-changing injuries. The money that’s raised helps them overcome their many difficulties and achieve as much as possible out of life.”

legend Paul Sculthorpe will be taking part in the challenge and is expecting the training to be a tough prospect: “The Carnegie Rowing Challenge will be a real test of physical strength and stamina and I’m looking forward to testing myself against my fellow players and also fans of the game. It would be great to see representatives from the whole rugby league family getting involved in this unique event and I’m sure we can raise lots of money for a very worthy cause.”

Tim Adams, Chairman of Try Assist adds: “Try Assist, the RFL Benevolent Fund Charity, was formed five years ago in response to a commitment to give lifelong support to seriously injured Rugby League players. Those players who have had career changing injuries are supported by the Fund by a variety of means including help with house refurbishments, car adaptations, educational programmes, and it also provides a forum for social and welfare networking.  The Carnegie Rowing Challenge is an excellent opportunity for us to raise the profile of the charity and encourage people to test themselves to their physical and mental limits.”

Several of the competitors have already begun their fundraising efforts and welcome sponsorship and donations, which can be given at www.justgiving.com/carnegierowingchallenge