Bramley-based Leeds Rhinos legend Jamie Jones-Buchanan led the squad to Farsley to help the Friends of Farsley Rehoboth Burial Ground group clear the site.
The Friends group is a charity which has bought and reclaimed a badly neglected burial ground in Farsley to return it back to the community. All the work is undertaken by volunteers of differing ages and abilities.
The Ministry of Justice has classed Farsley Rehoboth is an “open” burial ground. This means the group are able to undertake bereavement services, (burials of both coffins and urns). Currently this facility is not available within Rodley, Farsley, Stanningley and other local areas.
By clearing the site, it is hoped that it will also introduce new families to the Rehoboth which would assist with the longevity of the burial ground.
The chance for the Rhinos to get involved came about when Frances Barker, fundraising and communications officer for the Friends, bumped into Jamie Jones-Buchanan and asked if the Rhinos could help out.
A Rhinos spokesperson said:
“The Rhinos coach decided it would be a great activity for the team to work together on, with everyone enjoying the experience.”
The burial ground is the resting place of 4,000 local people interred between 1785 to 2000, many of whom still have family who live locally. It had been in private ownership for many years.