As you may already know, in September of 2006 Steve Prescott was diagnosed with a rare form of Cancer which presented him and his family with the toughest challenge of his and their lives. Steve underwent surgery to remove his tumour and since the operation through his charity "The Steve Prescott Foundation" has dedicated his time into helping others. Steve’s diagnosis is that he has terminal Cancer.

On August 17th 2009 Mike Denning Chairman of Thatto Heath Crusaders and a delegate on the NCL Management Committee will be embarking on a once in a life time challenge to raise money for the "Steve Prescott Foundation". Along with Steve, a team of ex Rugby League professionals and two disabled Rugby Players, Mike will be attempting to complete the Carnegie Challenge Cup Challenge.

The 11 day challenge is to carry the match day ball for the Carnegie Challenge Cup Rugby League final from Catalan to Wembley, this consists of cycling 800 miles across France in 40 degrees of heat from Catalan to Calais followed by a 24 mile row along the River Thames in a dragon boat, and as that is not quite hard enough a ½ Marathon run into Wembley on the morning of the Challenge Cup Final to deliver the match ball before kick off.

Mike has been in training for this mammoth event for 5 months solid and with only 2 weeks to go is concentrating on his fundraising and awareness of the event and its aims. Mike is looking to raise 10000.00 and is well on the way with pledges to date of over 6000.00. All funds raised by the event will be equally split between The Christie Cancer Hospital and the RFL Benevolent Fund, the latter helping sick and injured Rugby League Players. The ex Rugby League participants who are involved in the challenge include Steve Prescott, Paul Sculthorpe, Chris Joynt, Steve Hampson, Gary Connolly, Anthony Sullivan, Chris Smith, Steve Hall, Lee Jackson and others.

There are at present over 20 people being assisted by the RFL Benevolent Fund. Two of those are participating in the challenge namely Jimmy Gittens and Pete Stephenson. Both of these lads have played in the NCL.

If anyone would like to donate then you can direct through Mike's Just Giving website below. If any member wants to make a personal donation then please ensure that they can via Mike's website or send cheque made payable to the Steve Prescott Foundation to:

David C Lowe
Competitions' Administrator
Rugby League Services
RFL
The Zone
St Andrews Road
Huddersfield
HD1 6PJ

PLEASE NOTE that if an individual is making a donation and they are a tax payer then please provide an address and postcode so tax aid can be claimed. This can also be done via Mike's website.

If you wish to make a personal donation gift aid will apply.
ttp://www.justgiving.com/michaeldenning/

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