RL stars back BBC reporter’s charity challenge
It is hardly the life of Riley – a fun runner having to go through the pain barrier every few weeks as part of a non-stop charity challenge. But BBC Five live sports reporter George Riley is prepared to put in the hard yards and go that extra distance in memory of Rugby League player Steve Prescott.
George has pledged to run more than 100 race miles during the year for the Foundation which bears the name of his close friend who died last November, aged 39, after battling stomach cancer, seven years after he was given just months to live.
George (35) has already beaten his initial target of raising £5,000 well before he undertakes the Bupa Great Manchester Run on Sunday, May 18, as part of his series.
He said: “It’s not the first challenge I’ve undertaken for Steve but it’s the biggest and the first I’ve not been able to talk to him about.
“He was an exceptional player, astonishing fundraiser, the perfect family man and a loyal friend. He’ll be missed massively but never forgotten. My challenge is about his legacy and continuing to raise funds.”
Prescott, who spent much of his career with home town club St Helens, set up the Foundation after he was diagnosed, raising £500,000 for charities including The Christie in Manchester where he was treated and Try Assist, formerly the RL Benevolent Fund. He was awarded an MBE in 2009 for his fundraising efforts.
His bravery has galvanised the close-knit Rugby League community and players from St Helens, Warrington, Wigan and Leeds joined forces at Old Trafford Football Ground – part of the route of the Bupa Great Manchester Run – to show their support for George’s endeavours.
His 100-mile challenges include two marathons (London and Yorkshire); three half marathons (Bath, Leeds and Great North Run) and three 10ks (Manchester, Leeds and St Helens).
In the Bupa Great Manchester Run he will be hoping for better luck than last year when he was ill twice during the event. George added: “Running 100 miles doesn’t sound too much but I’ve got to do about five times that in training. I’ve done the
Manchester 10k twice before and it’s always a fabulous occasion.”
Sean O’Loughlin, captain of Wigan Warriors, said: “I definitely think George will complete the 100 miles. The most important thing is raising money for the Steve Prescott Foundation and anything we can do to raise awareness for that cause is great.”
Mickey Higham, of Warrington Wolves, said: “It’s great what George is doing for a really worthy cause. Sadly, Steve Prescott is not here but he’s still helping people fight cancer so I’m more than happy to help this special effort.”
Barrie McDermott, the former Leeds Rhinos player, is hoping to run the Bupa Great Manchester Run with George. He said: “I’m happy to support him and I was privileged to play with Steve many times. As an ambassador for the foundation, I’ll do as much as I can to support both the charity and George in his exploits.”
St Helens forward Sia Soliola said: “It’s wonderful that all the clubs can come together and do this for Steve because he was a great man. The Steve Prescott Foundation is obviously always linked with St Helens with him being a local boy, what he’s done for the game and what he means to the town. This challenge epitomises what the Steve Prescott Foundation is all about.”
To support George’s fundraising go to justgiving.com/georgeyboy100 or donate by texting PREK73 £10 (or a chosen amount) to 70070.
* Entries are still open for the Bupa Great Manchester Run which is Europe’s biggest 10k running event attracting a field of up to 40,000. To get involved visit www.greatrun.org/Manchester
State of Mind would like to wish George all the very best for the event and hope all rugby league fans in the city for the Magic Weekend will support all the runners and watch out for Will Stringer and Phil Cooper will be running the event, probably much slower than George!