Celtic Pride and Community Spirit: My 50kg World Coal Carry Challenge

This Easter Monday, I will be trading the rugby pitch for the streets of Gawthorpe to take on the World Coal Carrying Championships. Heaving a 50kg sack of coal—roughly the weight of a domestic washing machine—over 1,012 yards and up the brutal 1-in-6 gradient of Maypole Hill is a massive physical test, but the motivation behind every step is far greater than the weight I will be carrying.

I am proud to be representing Dewsbury Celtic as part of a unique "Rivals United" team. Alongside players and supporters from Batley Bulldogs, Dewsbury Moor, and Shaw Cross Sharks, we are putting our local competitive spirit to one side to stand as one. We are proving that while we may be rivals for eighty minutes on a Saturday, we are one family when it comes to looking after our own.

For everyone at Dewsbury Celtic, the Benevolent Fund is a cause that sits very close to our hearts. Our club saw firsthand the lifelong commitment the charity made through their support of our former player, David Roebuck, who suffered a life-changing spinal injury while playing for Celtic in 1982. The Fund was by David’s side for over 40 years, ensuring he had the dignity, specialist care, and support he deserved until his recent passing—a true testament to their lifelong commitment.

As a player, I know how lucky I am to be able to take on this physical challenge. I feel lucky to take my health for granted, but I know how quickly a life can change on the pitch. I want to ensure the safety net that caught David is there for the next player who needs it. Your donations fund everything from specialised wheelchairs and home adaptations to long-term rehabilitation and mental health support for our brothers and sisters who have suffered life-altering injuries.

Please give whatever you can to support me and the team as we take on the Gawthorpe coal run. Your donation ensures that the Rugby League family keeps its promise. No player—past, present, or future—should ever have to face a life-changing injury alone.