Fans raise thousands for charity skydive

Mar 13 2008 by Dave Bettley, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

RUGBY League fans are hailing a crowd figure with a difference after they clubbed together at a Vikings match to raise almost £10,000 for charity.

Supporters dug deep at the Carnegie Challenge Cup tie against Skirlaugh on Sunday in support of one of the UK’s leading cancer hospitals.

A crowd of 4,510 were given free admission to the game by Vikings chairman Steve O’Connor, who asked that fans made a donation to fitness instructor Liesa Rowlinson fundraiser.

Liesa is making a skydive from 10,000 feet to raise funds for Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology at Bebington, Wirral.

More than £9,600 was pledged to the cause by generous spectators.

Two of Liesa’s sisters have been struck down by cancer and treated by the hospital.

Liesa, from Larch Road, Runcorn, decided to make a charity dive even though she’s afraid of heights.

On Sunday, she was joined at the Stobart Stadium Halton by representatives of Clatterbridge, who collected donations.

Deborah Ferns, Clatterbridge’s fundraising co-ordinator, said: “The generosity of the rugby league fans was quite astounding. We were overwhelmed.

“The final total was £9,658.01 which was simply beyond our wildest dreams. We can’t thank the fans enough and Widnes Vikings for organising everything for us.”

Liesa, who makes her skydive from an airfield at Whitchurch on Saturday, March 22, said: “I was speechless when I saw how much money the fans were donating.

“It was quite incredible and I felt very emotional. I want to thank all the fans from both Widnes and Skirlaugh – and I want to say a special thank you to the officials at Widnes Vikings who made it all possible.”

Liesa’s skydive is already poised to raise well in excess of £10,000 for Clatterbridge.

People wishing to donate should visit Liesa’s fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/liesa

Liesa’s challenge – page seven.