Leeds Rugby Foundation helps raise money for the late Ricky James Nugent

The Rugby League Benevolent Fund Benefit along with Leeds Rugby Foundation & other organisations help raise money in the memory of the tragic passing of a young Rugby League player.

A very special presentation took place at West Leeds ARLFC by a very special family who in only two years have risen over £20,000 for charities and organisations. 

Leeds Rugby Foundation Community Development Officer Sam Horner attended at the request of the family.

Ricky James Nugent born 27.10.92, lived at Lower Wortley, attended Lower Wortley Primary School, then Farnley Park High School, and after leaving school gained a place at Park Lane College where he enrolled for an electrical installation course. He had only been at college two weeks before his sudden untimely death, suffering a massive brain haemorrhage, two days after collapsing on the pitch the life support machine was turned off, that was on 29.09.09 and he was just four weeks away from his 17th birthday.

He started playing rugby for West Leeds ARLFC when he was about 10 years old and absolutely loved it.

At that sad time Steve Ball from the Rugby League Benelovant Fund fully supported Ricky's family and is still very much part of Ricky's story and was on hand for the second year to receive a cheque for the benevolent fund for £2,000 pounds. Other benefiieries over the two years were, Wheatfields Hospice, The Lord Mayors Charities Appeal, Ward 6 Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit at LGI, West Yorkshire Ambulance Service, Dewsbury District Hospital, local church St John’s in Lower Wortley, Headway Leeds (which is the brain injury association) and Help for Heroes. Ben Bailey homes also contributed £5,000 to the fund.

His mum Ann Cameron commented “I am still fund raising in the memory of Ricky, when he tragically passed away I swore that if I could do anything to help others whilst keeping his memory alive, and that is what I will keep doing. I will never let my sons name be forgotten.

Simon Brown from Help For Heroes thanked the family and commented on the benefits such monies have helped in the charities cause.

Debbie Alinson from WLARLFC, who instigated the starting of the fund was there along with Ricky's team mates, teachers and friends from school.

Sam Horner, Leeds Rugby Foundation Officer added “The community spirit of Rugby League in the West Leeds area is very evident and the dedication to give to others by Ricky's Friends and family is a shining light”.

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