A family who has given so much to Dewsbury Celtic is now facing the unthinkable.

Simone Hirst — a loving single mum to Mason (11) and Siraa (7), a sister, a daughter, and a cherished part of our wider Celtic family — has been told that her cancer is now terminal. After fighting so bravely, the illness has spread to her brain and she has been given a devastating prognosis of just months.

Simone’s brother, Jordan Hirst, is a current open‑age player for Dewsbury Celtic, and the Hirst family have been loyal supporters of our club for as long as any of us can remember. They are the kind of family who show up — for the club, for the community, and for everyone around them. Now, it’s our turn to show up for them.

As a club, we refuse to stand by and do nothing. We want to give Simone the chance to create precious, lasting memories with her children — memories filled with joy, love, and moments Mason and Siraa can hold onto forever. To do this, we are launching a powerful community challenge:

“Round the Grounds for Simone”

5km every day for 21 days — 105km in total — 3 weeks of running to honour Jordan’s number 3 shirt.

Players, coaches, parents, supporters, and friends will be running day after day, pushing themselves physically and emotionally to show this family that they are not alone.

Rugby League is coming together like only rugby league can, with many local amateur and professional clubs offering their support. The first 5km will take place at Batley Bulldogs on Monday 22nd June at 7:30pm, followed by daily runs taking place at Celtic's home pitch and other amateur and professional grounds (please see Dewsbury Celtic's facebook page for daily updates on run locations).

Every donation, no matter the size, will help give Simone and her children the gift of time together. A holiday. A memory. A moment of peace, love and joy in the middle of heartbreak.

If you can donate, please do. If you can share, please do. If you can stand with us, we will be forever grateful.

For Simone. For Mason. For Siraa. For Jordan. For a family who has always stood with us.

💚 We run as one. We fight as one. We stand together 💚

💚 Let’s show this family what Celtic, and the sport of rugby league is all about 💚