STEVE CLOCK UP SPONSORED MILEAGE AROUND RUGBY CLUBS
How would you celebrate a 60th birthday – with a party or a special night out? Or like ex-rugby player Steve Burnhill who is marking the event with an eight-day sponsored walk in support of the Matt Hampson Foundation?
Steve devised a route which visited each of the clubs he represented in his career, starting his 180-mile trek at Sale and calling at Cleckheaton, Roundhay (Leeds) and Rotherham, Woodhouse Grove School and Loughborough University, finishing at Leicester Tigers.
“Through my time at these clubs, I’ve been fortunate enough to meet so many characters and friends that have shaped my life,” wrote Steve on a Just Giving page which has attracted incredible support and donations of more than £20,000 including contributions from his past clubs and team-mates.
Referencing the Matt Hampson, he added: “Not all of us have been that fortunate. To sustain a life-changing injury as a youngster setting off in the sport you love must be a very difficult thing to deal with.”
Steve, who made nearly 50 appearances for Leicester in the years 1985-88 as well as touring with England in 1984, was a guest of Matt’s at the Get Busy Living Centre as he approached the final days of his challenge, finishing at Tigers’ Mattioli Woods Welford Road stadium for the Premiership game against Bristol on Saturday.
Supportive
“I’ve always felt that through the rugby family if we get the opportunity we should give something back and this is a cause I wanted to raise money for and help others,” Steve said.
“Friends and family, and people I have met, have all been massively supportive.
“It’s been great to come to the Centre and meet Matt, I’m so pleased we’ve been able to do that and we’re very impressed. It’s inspirational.”
Matt Hampson said: “We can only do what we do and provide the unique opportunities we do because of the support of people like Steve and we are hugely grateful to him. He’s taken on a big challenge and done a great job in his fundraising.
“It was a pleasure to welcome him to the Centre and we wish him well for the final stages of his walk.”
Steve’s Just Giving page is still open at this link.
