The Rugby League community has rallied round to support a charity event being staged by Arlecdon Rams on Saturday.
A host of auction items will include shirts and memorabilia from a host of clubs including the three county pro clubs – Barrow, Whitehaven and Workington Town.
Three charities will benefit from the special seniors rugby league tournament which has been organised by the Arlecdon Rams, one of Cumbria’s leading Masters teams.
The event is for over-35s sides but it will be played under Masters rules and teams from Arlecdon, Great Clifton and Maryport will take part.
One of the organising committee John Gaston said: “The response we’ve had has been terrific and there are some really special auction items going under the hammer.
“Items include signed Barrow, Whitehaven and Workington tops as well as a signed Bee Unique charity Town top.
“There’s a signed St Helens top and family tickets for Wigan Warriors as well as an Arlecdon Rams/Rob Burrow special edition top. This was a strip we had designed a couple of years ago when Rob was diagnosed with MND.
“We will be raising funds for the Henderson Suite/Ward B at West Cumberland Hospital; the Great North Air Ambulance and MIND.
“Every penny we raise will be split between the three charities as all the expenses will be absorbed by player subscription and a lot of voluntary effort. We are backing Barry Maxwell, the former Great Clifton Lions player and coach who has twice battled cancer and is back playing again at the age of 70.
“In addition we will be remembering Peter Dawson, who sadly passed away a few years ago. He was also a former Great Clifton player.”
The day is being staged at the Adams Ground in the village and fundraising events will be held from noon before the rugby gets underway.
John added: “We know that a lot of ex-players are going to be putting on their boots again and we have organised a special over-35s game for them.”
