Former England Rugby League captain Sam Burgess will be riding the Empire State 500, in favour of Rob Burrow and Rugby League Cares.
The former South Sydney Rabbitohs, Bradford Bulls, England RL and RU, and Great Britain international will help lead 20 riders on a gruelling 500-mile off-road cycling challenge from the spectacular Niagara Falls to Manhattan, in early May.
Burgess has been inspired to do the ride by the plight of Rob Burrow, the ex-Leeds Rhinos and Great Britain star who has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.
The former cross-code international said: “I was really moved when I heard of Rob’s diagnosis. MND is a horrible disease and one that my own family know all too well from losing our dad Mark to it back in 2007.”
“Cycling all the way from Niagara Falls to New York City is going to be a massive challenge but it will be a real privilege and an honour to do it for Rob and RL Cares, who make such a positive difference to people’s lives.
“I’d like to thank Souths for their understanding in giving me time off to join the Empire State 500. I’m looking forward to it. The training is going to be tough, but not as tough as it will be for the other riders riding through the cold and wet of an English winter!
“The Rugby League family is amazing and I hope Australian fans will get behind this and help us raise as much as we can for two great causes.”
The Empire State 500 riders will fly into Canada on Friday May 1 and attend the Toronto Wolfpack v St Helens Super League fixture the following day.
After a short coach ride to Niagara, the riders set off from the shadow of the famous waterfalls on Sunday morning on their 500-mile ride, which concludes in Central Park, Manhattan, on Friday May 8.
To sponsor Sam on his great American adventure for Rob Burrow and RL Cares, please visit:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bigsamburgess
