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Yorkshire rugby league heavyweights Huddersfield Giants and cycle wear brand Fat Lad At The Back are joining forces in May for a 120-mile bike ride, teaming up to raise money in memory of late Giants youth player Ronan Costello.
The Giants participants, most of whom are not cyclists, are pushing themselves out of their comfort zones to raise money for Headway – the charity that works to improve life after brain injury. Headway provided specialist support to Ronan Costello’s family during the period following his injury and subsequent passing in June last year, having sustained a serious head injury in a match.
Giants ambassador and former England rugby league player Eorl Crabtree will lead the pack to Tyneside on the two days ahead of Magic Weekend, with the ride scheduled for May 19th to the 20th. Participants will wear bespoke cyclewear produced by Fat Lad At The Back, a replica of the Giants’ specially designed commemorative Magic Weekend rugby kit.
Eorl Crabtree commented: “We are proud to support Headway and are taking on this challenge in memory of Ronan Costello. It is nearly a year since the tragedy and we want to continue to celebrate Ronan’s life.
“Ronan will be on our jersey as we ride up to Newcastle thanks to Fat Lad At The Back; it has supported us all the way by designing our own bespoke cycle shirt based on the Giants Magic playing shirt and #RC13 logo. And I’m 6 ft 5 in and 18 stone, so as well as FLAB being a great fit for our cause, they’re also a great fit for me as an athlete!”
Richard Bye, FLAB founder, will ride with the Giants to Newcastle and FLAB will provide mechanical assistance and a support vehicle en route.
Bye added: “The Huddersfield Giants have a wonderful ethos of inclusivity and encouragement; they are non-elitist and all about getting out there and achieving your own goals by any means, no matter your shape or size. That is a perfect match for our core values. FLAB is a community brand at heart – our cycling gear and sportives are designed for anyone who wants to ride, regardless of shape, size or ability.”
Support the fundraising campaign, and donate in memory of Ronan Costello to the charity Headway, by visiting www.justgiving.com/magicweekend2017.
