Rugby League: Mayfield preview

Freddie Lowe with his dad Chris

Rochdale Mayfield face Warrington side Woolston Rovers in the National Conference League at 2.30pm Saturday 31 July, at Mayfield Sports Centre.

Mayfield's North West Men's League side are also at home to high flying Roose Pioneers from Barrow with their game kicking off at 1.30pm, also at home is the Rochdale Masters side who host Underbank at 1pm and to kick off the day's rugby league, Mayfield under 14s entertain Halton Farnwotth.

All these games are important to the lads playing and to the people watching, and all the games will be fiercely contested, some more than others of course.

The effort and the fight that the players put into each of these games though, pales into insignificance when compared to the plight of some. One such person being three-year-old Freddie Lowe who is suffering from a rare form of cancer. Freddie has a particularly aggressive cancer and has undergone numerous unpleasant treatments during his short life.

Unfortunately Freddie's parents Hazel and Chris have recently found out that things aren't going well with the treatment plan and are obviously devastated. Friends and family have joined in fundraising efforts to try and support the family for whatever time Freddie has left and improve his quality of life.

Fundraisers have requested permission from Mayfield to come to the matches on Saturday to try and raise a bit of cash for the 'Thumbs up for Freddie' charity they have set up.

Mayfield chairman Neil Ramsden welcomed the chance to try and help the cause. He said: "This is a truly awful story. What this lad has gone through is, well I just don't have the words to describe it. Nobody should have to go through something like this and if anyone does they deserve all the help they can get.

"To that end we at Mayfield will welcome the fundraising attempts at this weeks games and hope that everyone who visits the club today gives generously. Freddie and his dad Chris are rugby league supporters and are followers of Rochdale Hornets, who are already helping out with fundraising at their games and naturally we would be honoured to do our bit."

Everyone will be warmly welcomed at the club, and with four great games in prospect it's a feast of rugby league, but supporters are asked to take a minute to think about others and please give generously to support this cause. Thanks.

Fixtures 31 July 2021

• NCL League C: Mayfield v Woolston KO 2.30pm
• NWML Division 3: Mayfield v Roose KO 1.30pm
• Masters: Rochdale v Underbank KO 1pm
• Under 14s: Mayfield v Halton Farnworth KO 11.15am