IT has been announced that £15,600 was raised by the recent match between the Silverbacks charity team and a side consisting of players of former north Leeds outfit Queens.
The game, played in late April at the famous Bus Vale ground, was arranged to help generate funds for Charlotte Child, a mother of four who has been diagnosed with cancer.
Ex-Queens players such as Craig Wright (Charlotte’s uncle), Martin Richardson, Andrew Ali, Ryan Robinson and Scott Houston were driving forces behind the event as a whole.
Paul ‘Keka’ Ward, another key figure, said: “Charlotte’s mum, Sue Cooper, did a huge amount behind the scenes while experienced coach Scott Murrell, who is currently on the coaching staff at Castleford Tigers, showed his qualities by going round the dug-outs afterwards with binbags collecting the rubbish.”
Silverbacks coaches Jonny Morgan and Dave Evans subsequently took their team to Normanton, where £3,115 was shared between the host club and Rugby League Cares.
“Big raps are due to Richard Blakeway and his dad Graham (who manned the gates), together with Jonny Kirk, for how well the day went,” said Ward.
“The Silverbacks now have a trekking event planned to help get Featherstone Rovers back to where they belong.
“And, further down the line, the team will play Drighlington All Stars on Friday, June 19 (6.45pm) for grassroots Rugby League and the Alzheimer’s Society.
“We’ve already had promises to play from such as Rob Worrincy, Wayne Godwin, Shaun Richardson, Mark Calderwood, Steve Snitch, Scott Murrell, Danny Brough, Graham Steadman, Paul Lynam and, on debut, Ben Kaye.”
Ward scored a try against Queens, and added: “That was, of course, the try of the season! I’m now hanging up my boots at the age of 68.”