A fund set up in memory of a hugely popular young rugby league player and coach will launch next month.
Family and friends of Logan Holgate will officially launch the 'Logan and Gary's Lions Heart Fund' in memory of the talented Hensingham player and his England Lions coach, Gary McMahon.
Gary and Logan were both members of the England Community Lions Under-19 squad that won the European Championships in Italy last September.
Tragically, England’s assistant coach Gary suffered heart failure and died just a few days before the final.
And in January, 18-year-old Logan, who at 17 had been the youngest member of the triumphant England squad, passed away suddenly in his sleep at his home in Whitehaven in January.
On the morning of May 7, the fundraising campaign will launch with a sponsored walk from Hensingham ARLFC to three more community rugby clubs, and ending at Whitehaven's LEL Arena.
The walk will begin at Logan's home club of Hensingham at 9am, and the route will then take in Wath Brow Hornets, Egremont Rangers, Kells Rugby Club, and will end at Whitehaven RLFC who are playing Keighley Cougars in the Rugby League Championship with a 3pm kick-off at the LEL Arena.
Logan's aunt, Lisa Powe, said "Logan was Hensingham to his core, a Lion with a Lions' heart, and a committed Haven supporter, and he had friends at many, many clubs in Cumbria and across the rugby league and sporting world.
“His bothers Ellison and Fletcher, and cousin Miller Dalton will be walking the entire twelve-mile route to the finish at Whitehaven where the organisers have planned a collection to boost the fund.
“Logan died in his sleep in January aged just 18, and organisers have asked walkers to raise sponsorship for the Lions Hearts Fund if they can, and wear club colours to celebrate Logan's passion for rugby and sport.”
Gary's family and friends will be launching their fundraising on May 28 in Leigh and Wigan to raise vital funds for a heart screening programme, initially in the North West of England.
A JustGiving page has been set up for the Lions Hearts Fund and has already raised £1,400 in pre-launch donations, and donations can be made here www.justgiving.com/fundraising/logan-and-gary-lions-heart-fund
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