PARENTS, coaches, and businesses have all come out in support of Bedford High School's journey to Wembley - where the young rugby players will represent the town before the Challenge Cup Final.
On a remarkable season where the Year 7 group has already won the Wigan School's Final and North West Counties Final, Bedford High will take on Archbishop Sentamu Academy of Hull in the Boys Champion Schools Final on Saturday, August 12.
Making sure that the lads have the journey of a lifetime, parents have been raising money in support of the Wembley trip and held a fundraising event at Leigh East clubhouse on Saturday, July 15.
READ > Families flock to dazzling new play area at Pennington Flash
Helping to fundraise for a new kit, training kit, accommodation, and travel for the trip to London, signed shirts and memorabilia were auctioned off at the Leigh East event, which also included Q&A sessions from St Helens' Jake Wingfield, Widnes Vikings' Max Roberts, and former Leigh Centurions Mickey Higham and Martyn Ridyard.
There was also an emotional moment when the last crop of Leigh youngsters that reached the Wembley final in 1994 shook hands with the Bedford players to wish them luck.
Raising more than £7,000 from all the fundraising, the event was also supported by donations from Leigh Leopards chairman Derek Beaumont, the Leigh 'Past Players' group, Leigh Rotary Club, and a host of local businesses.
As the Leopards are also in contention for their first Challenge Cup final since 1971 with this Saturday's semi-final against St Helens, there is an air of excitement building across Leigh with people celebrating both the Leopards' and Bedford's achievements.
Lyndsey Southern, a parent of one of the Bedford players, helped to set up the fundraising event and said the support so far has been "phenomenal".
Lyndsey said: "Everyone has been amazing with their support for the lads and the fundraising. We had the Leigh past players giving a talk at the school, and Derek Beaumont giving them a pep-talk before their semi-final.
"We've had so many local businesses chipping in and donating too, so I think it really should be celebrated.
"The lads can't wait to get there and travel down with their mates - I don't think they understand the magnitude of what they're doing yet!".
To further support the campaign to assist Bedford High with their journey to Wembley for the Boys Champion Schools Final, you can donate here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here