Batley RL’s ‘fab four’ plan 50-mile hike to raise club funds
FOUR doughty Batley Bulldogs’ officials are putting their best foot (or feet) forward in a 50-mile fund-raising walk to raise money to improve the club’s facilities, writes Trevor Watson.
The ‘fab four’ of chairman Kevin Nicholas, director Paul Hull, general manager Paul Harrison and community officer Dan Winner are to set off from Mount Pleasant on Wednesday, March 7 at 6pm.
They aim to arrive in time for their opening Co-operative Championship game of the season at Leigh the following night. Back-up will be provided by directors Andy Winner and John Miller.
The Leigh match is the first to be televised by Premier Sports and the quartet say they intend to also mark this occasion with their journey.
Mr Nicholas explained: “We have almost completed the extension to the Bryan Cooney Suite but there is a good deal of work around the ground to be done.
“Apart from Wakefield Trinity we have the oldest ground in the Rugby Football League and we want to make it the best outside Super League. All the money raised will be ring fenced for the Ground Development Fund.”
Mr Nicholas said one of the aims is a new electronic scoreboard and also further electrical work around the ground.
There is the need to provide toilets under the Kirkwood Hospice Stand to help the ground reach capacity and the club intend to erect a walkway in front of that stand so that people can move freely around the inside of the ground. The funds simply aren’t there yet to build on the derelict terrace.
The club also intend to apply to the RL Facilities Trust for funding and possibly apply for a loan.
Rather than simply asking for sponsorship the club will invite people to pay sums of £2 each of which entitles them to estimate in hours, minutes and seconds how long the four walkers will take to complete the 50-mile journey. The correct answer or the nearest will win a prize of £200.
Letters will be handed out at Sunday’s game against London Skolars explaining the scheme and supporters can submit their answers up to the start of the walk.
The journey will take them to Huddersfield then on the A62 to Manchester for a cup of coffee at the offices of Mr Nicholas and then on to Leigh.
It is by no means the first time the chairman has indulged in fitness feats to help the club. There was the bike ride from Batley to Manchester, the Three Peaks walk and the 42-mile Lyke Wake Walk.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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