More Than a Derby: My 50kg Challenge for the Moor and the Rugby Family

This Easter Monday, I am stepping off the pitch and onto the streets of Gawthorpe to take on the World Coal Carrying Championships. Attempting to carry a 50kg sack of coal over a 1,012-yard course—ending with that final, lung-bursting climb up Maypole Hill—is going to be one of the toughest physical tests I’ve ever faced. However, the weight on my back is nothing compared to the challenges faced by those we are running to support.

I am representing Dewsbury Moor as part of our "Rivals United" team. It is a unique sight to see players and supporters from Batley Bulldogs, Shaw Cross Sharks, and Dewsbury Celtic all pulling in the same direction. While we usually save our energy for the heat of a local derby, we are putting those rivalries aside to stand together for the Rugby League Benevolent Fund. We are proving that no matter which shirt we wear on a Saturday, we are one family when it comes to looking after our own.

For everyone at Dewsbury Moor, our connection to this charity is deeply personal. We carry the memory of Archie Bruce, who was a huge part of our club before he moved on to play for Batley. When we lost Archie in 2019, the Benevolent Fund was there for us in our darkest hour, providing the emotional and practical support that Archie’s family, his friends, and all of us at the club so desperately needed. Seeing that support firsthand showed me just how vital this charity is to the fabric of our sport.

As a current player, I know how lucky I am to be able to take my health for granted. But I also know that a life-changing injury can happen in a split second. The money I raise will go directly towards ensuring that the safety net provided by the Benevolent Fund—including specialist equipment, rehabilitation, and lifelong care—is always there for the next person who needs it.

Please give what you can to support my coal carry. Your donation helps ensure that the Rugby League family keeps its promise to look after its own, ensuring that no player ever has to face a life-changing injury alone.