Fantastic fundraiser takes Wakefield Trinity Wheelchair appeal past its £20,000 target
Wakefield Trinity Community Foundation are thrilled to have have raised more than £28,500 to support the Wheelchair team’s fundraiser, following Friday night’s hugely successful ‘An Evening With’ event.
More than 140 guests joined the Foundation at the DIY Kitchens Stadium’s LED Studio Lounge for the fundraising event, with all proceeds raised supporting the purchase of new custom-made Rugby League Wheelchairs for Trinity’s inspirational Wheelchair squad.
Former Super League referee Ian Smith was the evening’s compere, welcoming a range of guest speakers to the stage.
First up, coaching staff Daryl Powell, Ste Mills, Michael Shenton and Danny Kirmond previewed the upcoming 2026 Super League season and spoke about the values that connect the men’s first team through to the Foundation’s three inclusion sides.
Wakefield legends Ian Brooke and Terry Crook then discussed their new roles as wheelchair team ambassadors alongside Stewart Walker, one of several new additions to the squad.
Twice Man of Steel Paul Sculthorpe and Trinity director of wheelchair Rugby Jimmy Gittins were the final guest speakers, opening up about their incredible charitable fundraising challenges and respective playing careers.
The evening rounded out with a raffle and auction, before Wakefield Trinity partners 24/7 Concrete and Aggregates made a substantial donation through the latter, an amount which was kindly matched by club owner Matt Ellis.
The £28,594 raised for the Wheelchair team smashes the £20,000 target set by the Foundation at the start of the year.
Thanks to the amazing backing from everyone who attended the evening and supported the event, the Foundation is now in a position to buy up to 10 new Rugby League Wheelchairs, supporting Trinity’s squad of players, which has grown to a group of 20.
Wakefield Trinity Community Foundation social and inclusion lead Jack Pemberton said: “First of all, I’d like to give my sincerest thanks to everyone that made Friday night such an unforgettable event and made such kind donations to our Wheelchair team fundraiser.
“I’d especially like to thank Steffie Vause and the entire team at 24/7 Concrete for their incredible generosity as well as Matt Ellis for his continued support of our Wheelchair team and the inclusion offer at Wakefield Trinity.
“The amazing funds raised through our loyal community will make a massive difference to the Wheelchair squad, providing increased capacity in training sessions and supporting our ever-growing squad, which now stands at 20 players heading into the 2026 season.
“Furthermore, the purchase of new bespoke Rugby League Wheelchairs will allow the Social and Inclusion department to expand our Education and Community delivery, furthering the social impact of Wheelchair Rugby League within the Wakefield District and beyond.”
The Foundation thanked sponsors and partners that supported the evening, including 24/7 Concrete, YPO, Yorkshire Property Services, Future Group (UK) Ltd, Farrar Bamforth, DC Roofing, Cunniff Design, Estabulo (Wakefield), Experience Community CIC and the Wakefield Trinity Past Players Association.
To donate to the Wakefield Trinity Wheelchair fundraiser, please head to the JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/page/wakefield-trinity-wheelchair-fundraiser-2026