Two West Leeds fundraisers have put their best foot forward and completed the first in a series of sponsored walks to raise funds for a Wortley-based mental health charity.
As reported by WLD, Paul Abraham, of Bramley, and Damon Cooper, of Farsley, are taking part in the walks to raise money for the James Burke Foundation, which has its headquarters in Proton House, off Tong Road. They are hoping to raise £500 between them.
They started at Wigan Warriors’, idolising Andy Farrell and reach the Totally Wicked Stadium in St Helens. Damon followed this walk by walking from the Shay to Odsal straight after!
Between them, they have so far raised £315, plus gift aid.
Mum Sharon Burke set up the foundation in 2018 in memory of her son, James, a former University of Leeds student and LURL player. James, an explosive force on the rugby league field, represented Jamaica in the 2014 Commonwealth Games but tragically took his own life in 2017. Sharon started the foundation to address mental health issues, confront stigma, and foster a deeper understanding of these challenges.
The duo are planning further fundraising walks in August and October.
Donations can be made online here.
Both Damon and Paul are also volunteer community reporters with the West Leeds Dispatch.