Yorkshire Cancer Research and Leeds Rhinos Foundation are inviting the public to take on members of the Leeds Rhinos squad with a one-minute rowing machine challenge at Marks & Spencer, Owlcotes on 2nd December to raise money for two Yorkshire charities.
For one day, members of the public are invited to take part in a rowing challenge with a difference and will be given a chance to see how far they can row in a minute and then compare how that matches against Leeds Rhinos players Tom Briscoe and Harry Newman.
Rowers will be asked for a small donation towards Leeds Children’s Hospital Appeal and Yorkshire Cancer Research and prizes will be available for the top rowers in each age group, with junior rowers available for children to have a go at the challenge.
In the build up to the event, the Leeds Rhinos squad have been getting behind the challenge and encouraging fans to have a go at the challenge by recording some one-minute rowing distances, which will be shared on social media in the lead up to the day using the #RowWithTheRhinos hash tag.
Grand Final hero Tom Briscoe, who will be recording his one minute challenge live at the event said:
“I’m very happy to be supporting two great causes in Yorkshire with this challenge and really looking forward to having some fun on the rowers and meeting fans on the day. I encourage everyone to come down and have a go and help us raise as much money as possible.”
Taking place at Mark & Spencer in Pudsey from 11am to 2pm, the Row with the Rhinos challenge will also include an opportunity to take photographs with Leeds Rhinos mascot Ronnie the Rhino and see the Super League trophy up close.
Briana Powell, Commercial Sales and Leeds Rhinos Foundation Events Coordinator said:
“Working alongside two inspirational charities is a great opportunity and hopefully we now have developed a concept that will become an annual tradition, as Row with the Rhinos returns year after year.”
The Row with the Rhinos fundraising event will help raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Research and Leeds Children’s Hospital Appeal, two charities with close connections to Leeds Rhinos Foundation.
This year Leeds Rhinos Foundation and Yorkshire Cancer Research entered into a partnership to deliver the Active Beyond Cancer programme across Leeds for people looking to build back their fitness following cancer treatment.
Joe Taylor, Partnership Manager at Yorkshire Cancer Research said:
“Our partnership with Leeds Rhinos and Leeds Rhinos Foundation is going from strength to strength. We’ve recently started our first Active Beyond Cancer 12-week rehabilitation programme after a successful pilot and now we’re looking forward to our first exciting and challenging fundraising event with the club.”
In the lead up to Christmas, Leeds Rhinos Foundation will be making their annual visit to the Leeds Children’s Hospital along with the Rhinos squad to give out presents to the children.
Jemma Richmond, Fundraising Co-ordinator from Leeds Children’s Hospital Appeal said:
"We’re absolutely delighted to be a part of this exciting event and we’re thrilled that the Rhinos have chosen our charity to support. Their on-going generosity means that we can continue to improve the treatment and care given at the Leeds Children’s Hospital which makes such a huge impact."
The event takes place from 11am to 2pm in the M&S rotunda located outside the store. For more information contact Briana.Powell@leedsrugby.com