WALK TO WAKEFIELD

WALK TO WAKEFIELD, Thursday 17th April, 4pm

• Reducing children’s bed poverty in our district.
• Collaborative working to make a difference.
• United by the power of sport.

Competition lines have been suspended as all three local rugby league clubs join forces to tackle child bed poverty across the Wakefield district!

Castleford Tigers are joining forces with neighbours Featherstone Rovers and Wakefield Trinity with their newly appointed charity partner, Prosper Wakefield District, to tackle a variety of social issues across the district, including addressing child bed poverty with The Wakefield Children’s Bed Appeal.  An estimated 6,000 children don’t have a bed of their own to sleep in as identified by Barnardo’s No Crib for a Bed Report

Kath Lindley, Chief Executive of Prosper Wakefield District, said: “In this day and age, to find out that 6,000 children in the Wakefield district don’t sleep in a bed of their own is shocking.  In some cases, they are sleeping on the floor, on cushions, in chairs, and even in the bath, which is why we felt compelled to do what we can to help. Having the 3 pro-clubs working in partnership is huge and will enable us to raise even more awareness of the campaign.”

The pro-clubs partnership brings together the Foundations from each club and aims to foster stronger, healthier and more inclusive communities through pooling resources, expertise and influence. Having a districtwide collaboration will achieve significant impact to children who are living in bed poverty and will make a lasting difference.

Castleford Tigers Foundation manager Anthony Atherton said: “The power of Rugby League is a wonderful thing. We want to use our influence, including our fan base, to tackle inequalities and drive positive change to benefit all our local communities.  It’s a real worry to read that so many children don’t have a bed to sleep in, we hope this provides more opportunities to sleep well and dream big!”

This groundbreaking partnership will give back to the district, through a co-ordinated programme of fundraising initiatives the three clubs will run throughout the year.  The first of these is the Walk To Wakefield event, which sees staff and supporters from Castleford Tigers covering the 8 miles that separate them from Wakefield Trinity, on foot.  They will set off at 4pm on Thursday 17th April, and head to the game that kicks off at 8pm that evening.

The foundation will be collecting donations via our Just Giving page https://www.justgiving.com/castlefordtigersfdn and using the funds generated to donate to specialist children’s bed charity Zarach, who will deliver high-quality beds that are safe, comfortable, and built to last to children living in bed poverty within the Wakefield District.  Every £150 raised buys a child’s bed frame, mattress, duvet, bedding, pillow and pyjamas.  The beds will be delivered to families in need, with Castleford Tigers players working with an army of volunteers deliver the bed bundles directly to households within their community.

To sign up for Walk To Wakefield or for more information, please contact foundation@castigers.com

Follow our socials for more information and guidance on the route, taking part or donating to the cause.