Youngsters from Wetherby hospice enjoying ‘unforgettable’ experiences at the Tigers
Young people in the care of Martin House Children’s Hospice have been going along to Castleford Tigers’ Super League matches this season – and loving it!
Young people in the care of Martin House Children’s Hospice have been going along to Castleford Tigers’ Super League matches this season – and loving it!
During 2023 the Tigers, together with HARIBO, are working with Martin House to offer young people in Martin House’s care the opportunity to experience live Rugby League action at The Mend-A-Hose Jungle for the very first time.
Martin House is a charity providing hospice care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions across West, North and East Yorkshire. And this season, HARIBO and Castleford Tigers have made it their mission to keep a smile on the faces of children and young people who use the hospice.
One of the most recent visitors to the Jungle was 25-year-old, CJ, who has type 2 spinal muscular atrophy. CJ’s first visit to the Jungle was for the Ford’s recent home fixture against Leigh Leopards – and the experience was such a success that CJ wrote to thank the Tigers for being so hospitable. CJ wrote:
“I’d like other disabled people who perhaps have never gone to a game due to fears of inaccessibility or fear of being in danger to know that as far as The Jungle goes, it was incredibly accessible, and I felt super safe! I know for sure that if anything was to have happened, I was in good hands.
“The event was going to determine if I’d ever visit another game and honestly, I think I would! Your team has unlocked a new possibility for me and so this experience was completely worth it so thank you all for that. Thank you for creating a memory I’ll cherish forever.
“I felt safe, calm, and more importantly, completely and totally free to have fun. I suffer a lot from anxiety, and not once did I feel that I needed to take my anxiety meds, nor had to leave early or find a quiet spot. Thank you for a wonderful experience as I think this has encouraged me to pursue going to more matches in the future!”
Everyone at Castleford Tigers thanks CJ for his incredible feedback and is thrilled that he enjoyed everything The Jungle has to offer.
CJ’s trip to The Jungle follows a visit from Noah, a young boy who receives care from Martin House and has a number of complex conditions including cerebral palsy, epilepsy, microcephaly and is fed by a gastric button into his tummy. Noah is also severely visually impaired and registered blind, meaning he can't see the game of rugby but instead can feel and hear the atmosphere. Noah's mum said about their trip, “A massive thank you for tonight. Noah absolutely enjoyed himself so much from the minute we got there to the minute we left. He did nothing but laugh and smile! A massive thank you for today it really did give us a memory we cannot forget.”
Castleford Tigers is a community focussed club and prides itself on the work delivered within the local area both with charities such as Martin House and charity partner Prince of Wales Hospice but also through the outreach work of the Castleford Tigers Foundation. Creating a community spirit both on game day out within the local area and beyond I at the heart of the club.
We are looking forward to welcoming more children who use Martin House at our remaining home games this year and to find out more about the fantastic work Martin House does, please visit their website HERE.
