Friends of tragic rugby player launch fundraising campaign
THE FRIENDS of a promising rugby player who died aged 17 after being injured in a match have launched a fundraising campaign in his memory.
Ronan Costello, a Huddersfield Giants youth player, was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary after the incident during an Under19s’ game against Salford in 2016.
He suffered a serious injury in what was believed to have been a routine challenge during the match which was subsequently abandoned and died from his injuries.
Since his death, an annual fundraising walk named ‘Walk for Ronan’ has taken place. The event was cancelled due to the lockdown.
But undeterred, Ronan’s friends Matthew Hunt, 37, John Jiggins, 41, David Warnes, 40, and Chris Vant, 38 are now going to take on the Three Peaks challenge to raise money for the organisation #ForRonan set up in his name – a charity aims to support young people like Ronan.
Matthew told the Yorkshire Post the friends are aiming to raise £1000.
He said: “On Saturday September 26, myself, John Jiggins, Chris Vant and David Warnes will be tackling the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
“Ronan Costello was a local lad, whose life was tragically taken away at a very young age.
“A charity in his name has been set up to help provide for the younger generation in the community.
“The official charity was going to do the walk back in April, but because of everything that has gone on, the event got cancelled.
“As we are friends of the family we really wanted to go ahead and complete the challenge.
“We are hoping to raise around £1,000.”