Boxing Day rugby match raises over £2k for Darlington cancer charity
An annual Boxing Day rugby match raised over £2,000 for a Darlington childhood cancer charity in memory of a "remarkable" 8-year-old boy.
Mowden Park in Darlington was filled with over 100 rugby players yesterday (December 26) for the yearly Team Luke Foundation charity rugby match.
The foundation has been going since 2019 in memory of Mark's son Luke, who died two days before Christmas in 2018 when he was just 8-years-old from neuroblastoma.
Luke with dad Mark. (Image: TEAM LUKE FOUNDATION) Prior to his death, his family raised £125,000 at short notice for a clinical trial in Barcelona - but the funds were subsequently redirected to launch a foundation in his name.
The charity works to raise awareness of childhood cancer and its symptoms in Luke's name as well as funding research into the sector.
Now, following another successful rugby event that saw men and women from 'Team Luke' groups play through chilly weather, Luke's dad, Mark Bell, 43, has said he feels "overwhelmed" by the response.
"We've been doing the match every year. Initially, to raise £125,000 for the clinical trial, we did plan matches on Boxing Day in 2018.
"Even though Luke died just three days before, we still went along with it and raised some money - so we decided to make it an annual effort from there.
Luke with dad Mark. (Image: TEAM LUKE FOUNDATION) "Every year we get players from clubs across the North East, which is amazing. I play rugby myself, and Luke did too.
"The rugby community, when Luke was first diagnosed, were phenomenal. Particularly Mowden Park who helped us raise money and gave us so much support."
He added: "To see this year after year is overwhelming - I looked around yesterday and saw total strangers showing up to play rugby in Luke's name.
"It is really humbling and emotional - it's a difficult time of year for us. Yesterday brings a bit of warmth and reassurance that we are building a solid legacy for Luke. It's so nice to see."
Here are just a few pictures from the day.
Team Luke Foundation Charity Rugby match on Boxing Day. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Team Luke Foundation Charity Rugby match on Boxing Day. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Team Luke Foundation Charity Rugby match on Boxing Day. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Team Luke Foundation Charity Rugby match on Boxing Day. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Team Luke Foundation Charity Rugby match on Boxing Day. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Team Luke Foundation Charity Rugby match on Boxing Day. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Team Luke Foundation Charity Rugby match on Boxing Day. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Team Luke Foundation Charity Rugby match on Boxing Day. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Team Luke Foundation Charity Rugby match on Boxing Day. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Team Luke Foundation Charity Rugby match on Boxing Day. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Team Luke Foundation Charity Rugby match on Boxing Day. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Team Luke Foundation Charity Rugby match on Boxing Day. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Team Luke Foundation Charity Rugby match on Boxing Day. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Team Luke Foundation Charity Rugby match on Boxing Day. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Team Luke Foundation Charity Rugby match on Boxing Day. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
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Team Luke Foundation Charity Rugby match on Boxing Day. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Team Luke Foundation Charity Rugby match on Boxing Day. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
