PLAYERS from St Helens have bared all in a naked photo shoot to support Sport Relief.
Team captain Paul Wellens and forward Jon Wilkin braved the elements on Sunday to pose in the cold, wearing nothing but a smile and specially made rugby Sport Relief socks.
They are inspiring the people of St Helens to enter the Manchester Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile, or one of dozens of Miles happening across the North West, on Sunday March 25 and support the Rugby Football League’s partnership with Sport Relief.
The boys got their kit off to encourage local supporters to enter the Sport Relief Mile later this month where thousands of people are expected to do one, three or six miles to raise money for disadvantaged people in the North West, across the UK and the world’s poorest countries. The players had to man up and strip off before posing in the buff, with only a strategically placed rugby ball to cover their modesty.
Teams taking part in the Stobart Super League, the top-level professional Rugby League competition in Europe, have also agreed to do their bit for Sport Relief. Round Eight of this year’s competition is dedicated to Sport Relief, which means every game will be played with an official Sport Relief branded ball and players from the 14 participating clubs will be wearing Sport Relief socks.
The Saints was one of 11 clubs from the Super League who have gone the extra mile to get people from all over the country to participate in the hundreds of Mile events happening across the length and breadth of the country on Sunday March 25.
Jon Wilkin said: “I’m not in the habit of taking my clothes off but I’m making an exception for Sport Relief. I’ve played some really fierce rugby and have been involved in some really tough tackles, but nothing compares with the terror of bearing all in the buff! Still, Paul and I have really enjoyed today and hope that we can encourage everyone from St Helens to take part in a Sport Relief Mile on Sunday March 25 and the Super League themed round later in the month.”
This year, more than one million people are expected to pull up their Sport Relief socks and take part in the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile across the country. The money raised will support people living unimaginably tough lives, both on our doorsteps in the UK and across the world’s poorest countries. Enter the flagship Manchester Mile, or one of dozens of Mile events happening across the North West, right now at www.sportrelief.com.
Or go the extra mile in a pair of Sport Relief socks available from Sainsbury’s in store and online at Sainsburys.co.uk and in Fitness First clubs.
St Helens are also arranging their one fundraising activity for Sport Relief by visiting primary schools across St Helens on Friday March 23 to do mile runs at each school ahead of the School’s Sport Relief day on the Friday.
On Sunday March 25, the club is encouraging fans to park in the town centre car park and walk the mile to the ground for the match against Leeds Rhinos where there will be bucket collections along the way.
You can donate to Saints’ Sport Relief site by clicking here.
