The Leader of the House of Commons, Chris Grayling MP has sent Parliament’s best wishes to everyone who will be celebrating the 120th anniversary of Rugby League in the Founders Walk later this month.
Organised in association with the sport’s charity, Rugby League Cares, the Walk takes place over six days from Sunday July 19 to July 24 and takes in the original home stadiums of the 22 clubs that founded the Northern Union on August 29, 1895.
The 120-mile venture gives people the opportunity to raise money for good causes in the sport by walking sections of each day’s route, full days or the full 120-mile route.
Responding to a question in the House of Commons by Warrington South MP David Mowat, Mr Grayling paid tribute to the important role Rugby League plays in its communities.
“My honourable friend represents the great northern town of Warrington, where I once stood as a candidate as well, and also visited the local Rugby League team to see it play,” he said.
“I’d like to take advantage of this opportunity to wish all of those involved in promoting the anniversary, including on the walk, which is taking place in a few weeks’ time, the very best in celebrating a sport that has been a very important part of our northern communities and continues to be so.”
The Founders Walk takes place over six days but anyone wanting to take part can sign up to walk as far as they like on any or all of the route, with each of the days split into smaller stages.
The itinerary for the Founders Walk is as follows:
Day 1 (Sunday July 19) is an eight-mile stroll around Hull, starting from the Walton Street car park and taking in The Boulevard before ending at the KC Stadium.
Day 2 (Monday July 20) starts at Fartown in Huddersfield and passes through Brighouse, Batley and Dewsbury before reaching Wakefield Trinity at the end of the 20-mile stage.
Day 3 (Tuesday July 21) covers 24.5 miles between Hunslet and Halifax, taking in Headingley, Manningham, Bradford Park Avenue and Illingworth on the way.
Day 4 (Wednesday July 22) is 22 miles starting at Rochdale and ending at Edgeley Park via Oldham.
Day 5 (Thursday July 23) is when weary legs will be tested over 22.5 miles between Wheater Street in Broughton and the DW Stadium in Wigan.
Day 6 (Friday July 24) sees the walk conclude with a 23-mile stage between Fletcher Street in Warrington and Langtree Park in St Helens.
For more information on the route or to register for the Founders Walk, please visit www.rugbyleaguecares.org/founders_walk_2015