Wigan charity rugby event at risk as organisers issue urgent appeal for help watering ‘rock hard’ pitch
A desperate appeal has gone out to businesses and organisations across Wigan to help save a charity rugby league event after the hot weather left the pitch “rock hard”.
Organisers of a fundraising rugby league day at Wigan St Patrick’s are urgently looking for help getting enough water onto the pitch ahead of the event this Sunday (16th August). Businesses with water bowsers, tankers, large hoses or other equipment capable of getting significant amounts of water onto the rugby pitch are being asked to come forward.
Organisers are also appealing to other organisations which may be able to help, including the fire service, as they race to soften the playing surface in time. The prolonged spell of hot and dry weather has left the pitch extremely hard, raising fears that the event may have to be cancelled if the surface cannot be made safe for the players.
That would be a major blow for brothers Luke and Matthew Grant, who have worked to bring the rugby league community together for a day supporting men’s mental health charity Andy’s Man Club.
The brothers have organised the event to raise money and awareness while encouraging more men to speak openly about their mental health.
Andy’s Man Club provides free peer-to-peer support groups for men across the UK.
Matthew said: “We wanted to use our love of rugby league to give something back. Mental health affects so many people and Andy’s Man Club does incredible work. If this event helps raise money and encourages even one person to reach out for support, then it will have been worthwhile.”
The charity day will feature multiple rugby league matches throughout the day, alongside entertainment, activities, raffles, food stalls and other attractions. The main event will be a brother-versus-brother rugby league match at 4.30pm, when Luke’s Wigan Bulldogs take on a newly formed team put together by Matthew.
They will compete for the Leo Joseph Summers Memorial Trophy, named in memory of Leo, who sadly died when he was just 12 days old.
Luke said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the support we’ve received already. It’s amazing to see the rugby league community come together for something bigger than the game. We hope this raises awareness and helps push more men to speak up. Having friends who have struggled with their mental health, me and my brother felt something more had to be done to try to help more men speak up and get rid of the stigma around men’s mental health.”
For more information about the event or to offer help with watering the pitch, contact Wigan St Patrick’s ARLFC or Luke at lukegrant96@icloud.com.
Event details
- Date: Sunday, August 16
- Venue: Wigan St Patricks ARLFC
- Address: Harper Street, Wigan, WN1 3BN
- Main event: Brother-versus-brother rugby league match
- Main event kick-off: 4.30pm
- Entry: £3 on the door
- Attractions: Rugby league matches throughout the day, entertainment, activities, raffles, food stalls and other stalls
