Daryl Powell speaks on grandson’s cancer journey as Wakefield Trinity confirm charity fundraiser

Coach Daryl Powell has revealed why Wakefield Trinity and Leigh Leopards fans are being urged to support a children’s cancer charity when the sides meet on Sunday.

The Betfred Super League fixture is a fundraiser for the Candlelighters Trust which provides practical, emotional and financial support to children living with cancer in Yorkshire and their families.

Trinity boss Powell’s grandson Clarke Richardson was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia early this year and spent his first birthday in intensive care.

The coach paid an emotional tribute to Candlelighters at his weekly press conference ahead of Sunday’s home game.

The match is being sponsored by Team Clarkey Boy, which was set up to raise money for Candlelighters.

Team Clarkey Boy’s logo will feature on the front of Trinity’s playing jerseys and they will later be auctioned for Candlelighters.

Daryl Powell pays tribute to Candelighters charity for ‘unbelievable’ support after grandson’s diagnosis

Speaking on his grandson’s cancer, Daryl Powell explained: “It is a pretty aggressive form of  leukaemia, so it has been a really difficult and emotional time for my family, particularly my daughter Kegan and her husband Eamonn.

“It is very difficult for families when that happens to them, particularly to someone so young – it was just before his first birthday when he went into hospital.

“It has been six months of constant treatment, the LGI’s [Leeds General Infirmary] oncology ward have been unbelievable in treating Clarke and the Candlelighters charity have been superb.”

A Team Clarkey Boy fund raising page has been set up and there will be a bucket collection at Sunday’s game. Powell said: “When Clarke first got diagnosed, I told the players to treat me the same because this is my diversion away from the difficulties at home.

“They’ve been phenomenal and I’m really proud and honoured the club have done this. It’s a phenomenal thing to do and that’s what kind of club this is.

“A lot of my family will be here on Sunday and it’ll be a big day for the charity. Candlelighters have been unbelievable in providing support in all sorts of different ways, even grandparents’ meetings where you get to share the difficulties and emotional parts of what having an illness like this means to the whole family.

“My daughter would have found it much more difficult to get through this if it hadn’t been for Candlelighters. I can’t speak highly enough of the charity and the support it has put around my family at this very difficult time.”

Of how his grandson is faring, Powell said: “Clarke has finished his chemo now and is at home. He has to go into hospital a fair bit for blood transfusions and it’s the start of a journey, because cancer is a journey.

“He’s happy and smiling at the moment, while still going through a very difficult time. He has been a really brave person and handled it so, so well.

“It has been really tough for him. We are all praying he’s going to be well and has a fantastic life.”

Our game against Leigh will be sponsored by Team Clarkey Boy in aid of @CandlelightersT!

Clarke, the grandson of Trinity Head Coach, Daryl Powell was diagnosed with Leukemia at the beginning of 2025 and has been receiving chemotherapy since January!

Candlelighters have been… pic.twitter.com/wMz9RipxLe

— Wakefield Trinity (@WTrinityRL) June 11, 2025